ICT asks investigators to complete probe against Hasina in 2 months

The International Crimes Tribunal has given investigators two months to complete their probe against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over allegations of 'genocide and other crimes against humanity' in her attempt to restrict the student-led mass movement that toppled her government.

The tribunal - led by Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza Mozumder - issued the order on Tuesday. The other tribunal members are Justice Shariful Alam Mahmud and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

The tribunal gave authorities two months to complete the investigation, instructing them to submit the report on Feb 18. It scheduled the next hearing for the same day.

"We have to conduct an investigation against Sheikh Hasina over the complaints of genocide and forced disappearances and submit the report. We sought time to do that," Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told the media.

He said they would work to ensure that the investigation team could submit the report, or at least a progress report, by the set date.

"We're trying our best," he said.

Hasina was the 'nucleus of the secret prison' for the last 16 years, Tajul said. "From the investigation report prepared by the commission on forced disappearances, we received some information and data about her crimes. The tribunal has accepted them and is conducting an investigation. We’ll submit a report on that as well.”

The chief prosecutor also said that an investigation against cabinet members of the former government, including Obaidul Quader and Abdur Razzaque was ongoing.

 “During interviews, the commission found information that those ministers were involved in forced disappearance cases or played some role in them.”

In addition, the court asked the law enforcement agencies for an explanation on how Quader had remained in the country for three months after an arrest warrant was issued against him and then fled abroad.

The court ordered an explanation in 15 days, the chief prosecutor said.

The law has a provision to book anyone helping a person to flee in defiance of a court order, Tajul said.

At least 16 suspects, including former ministers, bureaucrats, justices and politicians were brought to the court on Tuesday.

They included former ministers Anisul Huq, Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Kamal Ahmed Majumdar, Golam Dastagir Gazi, Amir Hossain Amu, and Qamrul Islam.

Also former advisors Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Salman F Rahman, and former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Worker Party President Rashed Khan Menon, JSD President Hasanul Haque Inu, former justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and ex-home secretary Jahangir Alam were also in the group.

On Oct 17, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against Hasina, Quader and 44 others in separate cases over crimes against humanity during the massacre in July and August.

Then on Oct 27, the International Crimes Tribunal summoned 14 arrestees, including 10 former ministers, two advisors, a justice and a secretary to the court in connection with the cases filed over the massacre in July and August. They were ordered to appear before the court on Dec 18.

Accordingly, 13 suspects, including nine ex-ministers, were brought to the court.