[🇧🇩] International Crimes Tribunal Act & The Crimes Against Humanity

[Saif]

KILLING OF MUGHDHO, JAMAAT LEADER: Complaints filed with ICT

The elder brother of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, who was shot dead during the demonstrations of the Student Movement Against Discrimination on July 18, 2024, filed a complaint on Thursday with the International Crimes Tribunal chief prosecutor...

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KILLING OF MUGHDHO, JAMAAT LEADER: Complaints filed with ICT
Staff Correspondent 17 January, 2025, 00:18

The elder brother of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, who was shot dead during the demonstrations of the Student Movement Against Discrimination on July 18, 2024, filed a complaint on Thursday with the International Crimes Tribunal chief prosecutor.

Seeking justice for Mugdho’s death, the complainant accused unidentified individuals of his killing.

A separate complaint was lodged against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 2013 killing of Fayez Ahmed, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Lakshmipur district unit.

On Thursday in a separate order, a tribunal comprising Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge M Mohitul Hoque Anam Chowdhury directed the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to preserve all digital data and documents related to the July mass uprising.

The tribunal also instructed mobile operators and internet service providers to assist the ICT investigation. The directives followed an application filed by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam.

‘The ICT probe body has the jurisdiction to summon individuals, authorities, or documents without prior approval. Nevertheless, we sought and secured a formal order for transparency.’

Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho’s elder brother, Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, the chief executive officer of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, filed the complaint in connection with the killing of Mugdho who allegedly died after he was shot by the police in Uttara.

Video footage of 25-year-old Mugdho handing out water before his death on July 18 went viral on social media viewed by millions, intensifying protests across the country culminated in the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led regime on August 5 last year.

Speaking to journalists, Snigdho revealed that he submitted CCTV footage as evidence and urged the interim government to thoroughly investigate the incident to identify and prosecute those responsible.

‘We’ve taken the initiative to gather evidence ourselves to avoid delays in the pursuit of justice,’ he said, expressing hope that forensic experts would soon identify the culprits.

Recalling the events of July 18, 2024, Snigdho said, ‘When Mugdho was rushed to hospital after being shot, doctors declared him dead. They advised us to take his body away quickly, fearing police interference.’

Dr Fayez Ahmed’s eldest son, Hasanul Banna, filed the complaint against 41 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former prime minister’s military adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddiqui, former Rapid Action Battalion additional director general Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and former RAB 11 commander Tarek Sayeed Mohammad.

According to Banna’s statement, on December 13, 2013 at 12:30am Dr Fayez Ahmed was forcibly taken to the roof of his house in Trimohoni area, beaten and shot dead. A vehicle bearing Rapid Action Battalion stickers allegedly broke through the gate and abducted Fayez from his second-floor room before killing him.

‘On the roof, my father was brutally beaten with the butt of a firearm, sustaining severe injuries to his head, face and body,’ Banna recounted in his statement. He demanded justice for the murder which he claims was orchestrated to suppress political dissent.​

 

[Saif]

JULY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: ICT orders arrest of 2 AL leaders, 6 police officers

The International Crimes Tribunal on Monday issued warrants for the arrest of two influential Awami League leaders and six police officers for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity during the...

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JULY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: ICT orders arrest of 2 AL leaders, 6 police officers
Staff Correspondent 27 January, 2025, 23:59

The International Crimes Tribunal on Monday issued warrants for the arrest of two influential Awami League leaders and six police officers for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity during the July-August mass uprising in 2024.

A two-member tribunal, comprising Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired judge Mohitul Haque Anam Chawdhury, issued the arrest warrants, responding to four applications filed by chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam over allegations linked to four complaints lodged with the prosecution’s office.

The identities of the accused were not published at the prosecution’s request to prevent their escape and facilitate their arrests.

One of the applications involves Shah Alam and three other police officers, another liked to the two Awami League leaders and two police officers, and the remaining two relate to separate incidents of alleged crimes during the uprising.

Prosecutor Gazi Monwar Hossain Tamim argued that prima facie evidence supported the allegations against the eight individuals.

He stressed the urgency of the arrests to prevent witness intimidation, protect victims’ families, and preserve evidence.

The tribunal directed the inspector general of police to arrest the four accused police officers and produce them before the court immediately.

It also set February 23 as the deadline for submitting an investigation report into one of the four complaints.

Earlier on Sunday, the tribunal had issued an arrest warrant against former Rapid Action Battalion director general Md Harun-or-Rashid for allegedly ordering helicopter shootings during the mass uprising.

The court had set February 23 for the submission of the investigation report in that case.

Regarding the two Awami League leaders, the tribunal instructed the IGP to ensure their immediate arrest and set March 27 for submitting the investigation report.

In another case, the tribunal issued warrants against two more police officers for alleged crimes against humanity, including one incident in Dhaka’s Mirpur area, with March 24 set for the investigation report.

Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told journalists that many of the accused police officers were stationed in Dhaka during the uprising and had since been reassigned within and outside the capital.

He said that the ICT has so far issued arrest warrants against 96 individuals, including members of Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet, parliamentarians, and party leaders.

Tajul said that 35 to 40 individuals of them might still be apprehended.

He added that many accused officers of law enforcement agencies fled the country after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5, 2024.​

 

[Saif]

ICT sends ex-Mirpur ADC Moinul, 2 other police officers to jail

The International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday ordered the detention of three police officers, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s former additional deputy commissioner for Mirpur division, Moinul Islam, for their alleged involvement...

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ICT sends ex-Mirpur ADC Moinul, 2 other police officers to jail
Staff Correspondent 28 January, 2025, 23:49

The International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday ordered the detention of three police officers, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s former additional deputy commissioner for Mirpur division, Moinul Islam, for their alleged involvement in committing genocide and crimes against humanity during the student-led mass uprising in 2024.

The two-member tribunal, comprising Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired judge Mohitul Haque Anam Chawdhury, passed the orders after Moinul Islam, Shahbagh Police Station’s former inspector (operations) Mohammad Arshad Hossain, and Rampura Police Station’s former assistant sub-inspector Chanchal Kumar were produced before the tribunal.

Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud informed reporters that the arrests were linked to separate cases based on crimes allegedly committed by them in different areas in the capital.

Moinul was accused of committing atrocities in Mirpur, Arshad in Chankharpul, and Chanchal in Rampura and Badda areas.

Arshad Hossain allegedly silenced student protester Nahidul Islam by suffocating him during a demonstration against police brutality.

Chanchal Kumar was accused of hanging a protesting student from a building rooftop in Rampura after shooting him.

Moinul Islam reportedly played a direct role in crimes against humanity in the Mirpur area.

Prosecutors stated that videos and social media evidence of the alleged crimes were collected and presented to the investigators.

The tribunal had issued arrest warrants on Monday for these three officers, along with six other policemen and two Awami League leaders whose identities were kept undisclosed.

Prosecutors revealed that, to date, the ICT had issued arrest warrants against 104 individuals, including former cabinet members, parliamentarians during the ousted Sheikh Hasina’s rule and Awami League leaders.

Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration on August 5, 2024 amid the student-led mass uprising, many accused law enforcement officers reportedly fled the country.​

 

[Saif]

Trial of Hasina: Students end hunger strike after eight hours in Ctg

Activists of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Chattogram city ended their hunger strike tonight after eight hours

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Trial of Hasina: Students end hunger strike after eight hours in Ctg

Photo: Md Rajib Raihan

Activists of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Chattogram city ended their hunger strike tonight after eight hours.

The students started the hunger strike in front of Chattogram Press Club around 12:30pm, demanding trial of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other accused who were involved in the attack and killing of students in the mass uprising.

Talking to the correspondent, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom said the students broke their hunger strike around 9:00pm.

They also threatened to announce tougher programme if the interim government does not start the process of trial within next three days, said the DC.

However, the correspondent could not reach any protester for comments in this regard.

Over 30 leaders and activists of the platform led by Russell Ahmed, executive member of the central committee of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, started the hunger strike.

Earlier, the platform held a protest rally in front of Chattogram Press Club at 11:30am.

Addressing the rally, Russel said they are still forced to take to the streets even six months after the uprising demanding trial of the culprits.

They did not see any visible steps from the interim government regarding the trial of Awami League members including Sheikh Hasina, he alleged.

At one stage of his speech Russel announced to start the hunger strike demanding trial of Hasina and others.

Following his announcement at least 25 activists of the platform started hunger strike on the footpath in front of the press club. Later, they sat on the street blocking vehicular movement on one side of the two-lane road.

DC Farida Khanom met with the protesters in the evening when Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam talked with Russel on the DC's cellphone.

The two advisers requested him to stop their strike but Russel asked for specific timeframe to start the trial and vowed to continue hunger strike.​

 

[Saif]

ICT rebukes govt for arrest warrant failure

The International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday rebuked the prosecution for failing to execute arrest warrants against suspects linked to the July-August 2024 genocide and crimes against humanity, and enforced disappearances during the ousted Awami League regime.

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ICT rebukes govt for arrest warrant failure
M Moneruzzaman 31 January, 2025, 00:30

The International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday rebuked the prosecution for failing to execute arrest warrants against suspects linked to the July-August 2024 genocide and crimes against humanity, and enforced disappearances during the ousted Awami League regime.

The three-judge tribunal, comprising Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood, and retired judge Mohitul Haque Anam Chawdhury, also criticised the prosecution for missing its deadline to submit formal charges against suspects accused of crimes against humanity in the capital’s Jatrabari area during the student-led mass uprising.

The tribunal directed the prosecution to file applications seeking action against those failing to comply with the tribunal’s orders.

According to a source in the ICT’s investigation agency, they were now investigating 27 cases by merging a total of 190 complaints.

The agency received several complaints regarding crimes against humanity in Uttara, but merged them into a single case, the investigator gave an example.

Despite these ongoing investigations, the prosecution is yet to file formal charges in any of the 27 cases.

The tribunal on Thursday set April 6 for the prosecution to submit formal charges regarding the Jatrabari crimes, including the murder of Imam Hasan Taim on July 20, 2024.

It warned that the authorities would be held accountable if all suspects were not arrested as per existing warrants and if investigations were not completed within the extended timeframe.

During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud informed the tribunal that out of six accused in the Jatrabari case, only two—Tanzil Ahmed, former assistant commissioner of DMP’s Wari zone, and Abul Hossain, former officer-in-charge of Jatrabari police station— were arrested.

The two officers were produced before the tribunal on Thursday for a scheduled hearing.

When asked whether the prosecution was facing difficulties in executing arrest warrants, Sultan Mahmud alleged that law enforcement agencies were not cooperating with the investigation team.

He cited an instance where Dhaka Metropolitan Police high-ups refused to assist in arresting a suspect, prompting frustration from the tribunal.

‘Who will catch the accused? How will the trial proceed?’ the tribunal asked and instructed the prosecution to file an application against those disobeying the court’s orders.

‘We cannot understand what kind of investigation is going on,’ one of the judges expressed his disappointment and suggested the prosecution to seek government intervention.

Another judge criticised the lack of progress in arrests, pointing out that despite nearly 2,000 people being killed in the July-August atrocities, only 35 suspects were arrested.

Prosecutor Gazi Monwar Hossain Tamim informed the tribunal that so far, arrest warrants had been issued for 100 suspects linked to July-August crimes and enforced disappearances during the Awami League regime.

Among those facing arrest warrants are deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, and several high-profile Awami League figures, including the party general secretary Obaidul Quader and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and members of the law enforcement and intelligent agencies during the ousted regime of Sheikh Hasina.

The ICT was established in 2009 during the Awami League rule to try 1971 war crimes cases. Over the years, the tribunal disposed of 55 cases.

After the ouster of the Awami League regime amid a mass uprising on August 5, 2024, the interim government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal on October 14, 2024, to prosecute those responsible for 2024 July-August war crimes.​

 

[Saif]

MASS UPRISING: Victim families block Shahbagh for speedy trial

The families of a number of student-led mass uprising martyrs on Thursday morning blocked the Shahbagh crossing demanding speedy trial of those involved in the massacre.

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MASS UPRISING: Victim families block Shahbagh for speedy trial
Staff Correspondent 06 February, 2025, 15:25

Family members of the victims in the July-August student-led mass uprising block the Shahbagh crossing, demanding speedy trial of those involved in the massacre, in Dhaka on Thursday. | Focus Bangla photo

The families of a number of student-led mass uprising martyrs on Thursday morning blocked the Shahbagh crossing demanding speedy trial of those involved in the massacre.

They blocked the crossing for around seven and a half hours from 11:00am to 6:30pm to press home their three-point demand.

The blockade halted vehicular movement at the capital’s busy crossing causing huge traffic congestion on the nearby roads and immense sufferings to the commuters.

The demands are speedy trial of perpetrators after a fair investigation, state recognition of the martyrs, and monthly allowances for their families as well as rehabilitation of the martyrs’ families, said a protester, Gausullha Raju, also brother of martyr Abdullah Kabir.

They lifted the blockade after Jatiya Nagarik Committee chief organiser Sarjis Alam assured the protesters that meetings would be held between interim government advisers, including the chief adviser and representatives of the victim families within a few days to meet their logical demands.

‘It is unfortunate and shameful that victim families have taken to the streets,’ Sarjis said, adding that it will be the biggest limitation of the government if it fails to bring Awami League leaders and activists involved in the massacre to book.

The victims’ family members held a press conference at the end of January raising their 10-point demand and met the interim government advisers, Raju said, adding that the authorities assured the families of addressing their demands in a week.

‘We are left with no option but to hold the blockade as the authorities have not taken any initiative,’ added Raju.

Kabir’s sister Afsana Ahmed said that her brother was killed by ousted Awami League leaders at Mirpur 10 on August 4 and a case was filed with the Mirpur model police station on August 22.

‘Six months have passed but no one has been arrested,’ Afsana said, adding that all are busy with power politics and elections but no one is working to ensure justice.

Abdullah Al Maruf, brother of martyr Anwar, who was killed on August 5 at Mirpur, said that a case was filed with the Mirpur model police station three months ago but only one person was arrested in the case.

‘Ensuring the trial of the involved persons in July-August massacre should be the priority of the interim government, but we do not see any initiative for that,’ said Maruf.

He added that the victims’ family members would go for a tougher movement if the authorities do not take visible steps immediately to address their demands.

‘We will continue the blockade till our demands are met,’ said Maruf.

Shahbagh police officer-in-charge Mohammad Khalid Mansoor said that police tried to convince the protesters to withdraw the blockade but they refused and continued it.

In a statement, issued on Thursday, the interim government said that the trial of those involved in the July massacre was progressing in full swing.

‘The interim government is committed to ensuring justice and delivering appropriate punishment to the perpetrators of the genocide,’ read the statement.

According to government data, 834 people were killed and 11,551 injured during the uprising that began on July 1 with protests demanding quota reform in civil service jobs and culminated in the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The government is still updating the data.​

 

[Saif]

MASS UPRISING: ICT orders arrest of seven people

The International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday issued arrest warrants against two police officers and five others for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity in the capital’s Mohakhali, Rampura, and Uttara areas during the July-August mass uprising...

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MASS UPRISING: ICT orders arrest of seven people
Staff Correspondent 10 February, 2025, 00:12

The International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday issued arrest warrants against two police officers and five others for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity in the capital’s Mohakhali, Rampura, and Uttara areas during the July-August mass uprising.

The two-member tribunal, led by its chairman Golam Mortuza Mozumder and member Mohammad Mohitul Haque Anam Chawdhury, passed the order.

The tribunal, however, withheld the identities of the accused at the prosecution’s request.

Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim, in a brief message to journalists, said that former Uttara East police station officer-in-charge Mujibur Rahman was arrested at a place on the Dhaka University campus at about 3:00pm on Sunday.

Mujibur is one of the two police officers against whom the tribunal issued arrest warrants earlier in the day.

The former OC was later produced before the tribunal which ordered the jail authorities to keep him detained in connection with a case relating to crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Uttara during the mass uprising.

The tribunal also allowed the investigation agency to interrogate detained constable Mohammad Sujan Hossain for one day in connection with a case over the killing of seven people in the capital’s Chankharpul area during the uprising on August 5, 2024.

The orders were issued after hearings on four petitions moved by prosecutors Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim and BM Sultan Mahmood.

Prosecutor Tamim told reporters that, since the tribunal’s reconstitution, arrest warrants were issued against 115 individuals in 18 cases.

Of them, 35 have been arrested and are currently in custody, he said.​

 

[Saif]

Disturbing accounts of ‘police abuse’

The night of July 27, 2024, still haunts her. A first-year law student of a private university, she still cannot forget how detectives surrounded her in a small room and groped her. On a table in front of her lay a blank paper for her to confess, according to her accounts to the International...

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Disturbing accounts of ‘police abuse’
ICT sends DB officer to jail over custodial harassment during July uprising

The night of July 27, 2024, still haunts her. A first-year law student of a private university, she still cannot forget how detectives surrounded her in a small room and groped her. On a table in front of her lay a blank paper for her to confess, according to her accounts to the International Crimes Tribunal and The Daily Star.

Officers of the Detective Branch of police insisted that she tell them the whereabouts of the July uprising leaders. She refused. One officer then came close, leaned in, stroked her hair and groped her, saying she would be implicated in a case over the attack on BTV Bhaban, she said.

"I will see you in custody at night," she remembers him saying.

There was a pistol on the table. One officer picked it up dramatically and cocked. The metallic click echoed through the small room. He came closer and held the gun against her forehead. The officer's face inches away from the girl, he sneered, "Admit everything. Confess!"

The evening, that quickly turned into a nightmare for the university student, had begun with an unexpected phone call. She agreed to recount the details to The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.

The phone call had come from an unknown number but the young protester, aged 18, thought it was a fellow protester. Soon, she realised she was wrong, and quickly hung up the phone. Several more calls followed, but she did not pick up.

Then she received a message: Hello … [we are withholding the victim's name]. It's Javed. AC DB Ramna, Mintoo Road, Dhaka. Need to talk with you for our purpose & also for your safety."

In another message later that evening, she was told that detectives were waiting downstairs of her building and asked her to come down. When the girl's parents refused, they were told to bring their daughter to the Uttara Paschim Police Station.

"As soon as I went to the station, they started hurling expletives at me … even in front of my parents."

The Daily Star could not independently verify her accounts. We also could not contact the officer-in-charge of the police station for comments.

She said that at one point, the cops asked her parents to leave the room, but the father refused. "They pushed my father who has a heart condition. He fell to the ground."

With her father out of the room, one police officer, aged over 40, came close. "He touched my shoulder and stroked my hair. I froze in fear,"

He also threatened her with teaching her a lesson through the now infamous Harun-or Rashid, better known as DB Harun.

But she still refused to give any details about her fellow protesters. Then one officer pulled a stunt with the gun on the table. One officer cocked it, put it against her head and pressed the trigger. "I thought I would die. But there were no rounds in the chamber."

They finally let her go at 1:00am on July 28.

The International Crimes Tribunal yesterday sent Javed Iqbal, the then ADC of DB, to jail upon arrest in relation to this incident. Investigators told The Daily Star that they have already identified the police officers who were present in that room on the night of July 27, tracking the location of their phones.​