The International Crimes Tribunal has granted permission to interrogate four recently arrested accused in a case filed over crimes against humanity during Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka on May 5, 2013. The case involves allegations of killings and torture carried out during the violent crackdown a decade ago.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, passed the order on Sunday, following a prosecution petition. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the state during the hearing.
The four arrestees are former state minister for home affairs Shamsul Hoque Tuku, former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, former inspector general of police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque, and former deputy inspector general (DIG) of police Molla Nazrul Islam.
The case names a total of 21 accused, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal has fixed November 12 for submission of the investigation report.
The petition to the chief prosecutor was submitted by Hefazat leaders Junayed Al Habib and Maulana Mamunul Haque through lawyer Azizul Hoque Islamabadi.
The complaint names Sheikh Hasina, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, former minister Rashed Khan Menon, former Dhaka South City mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former minister Hasan Mahmud, ex-MP Haji Selim, former PM’s adviser Salman F Rahman, former MP Shamim Osman, former PM’s ex-adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddiqi, former police chiefs AKM Shahidul Hoque and Benazir Ahmed, ex-RAB official Ziaul Ahsan, DMP’s additional commissioner Harun-or-Rashid, ex-DMP deputy commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarker, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee president Shahriar Kabir, academician Professor Muntasir Mamun, former ICT prosecutor Turin Afroz, Gonojagoron Mancha convener Imran H Sarker, and several media professionals including Mozammel Babu and Ahmed Zobaer.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024 following a mass student uprising, ending nearly 16 years of Awami League rule. Since then, calls have intensified for trials of killings, enforced disappearances and other crimes against humanity committed during her tenure.
Two International Crimes Tribunals are now conducting hearings into these allegations.
