17 Including Former Ministers and State Ministers Brought to Tribunal

Seventeen individuals, including former ministers and state ministers of the Sheikh Hasina government, have been brought before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to face charges of murder and mass killing related to the July-August 2024 movement.

They were transported under strict security from various prisons, including Keraniganj and Kashimpur, and brought to the Tribunal at approximately 9:45 AM today, Monday (December 8). Police members then escorted them one by one from the prison vans into the custody area.

The progress of the cases is scheduled to be heard today by the judicial panel, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, Chairman of Tribunal-1.

The accused brought before the Tribunal are: former Law Minister Anisul Huq, former Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, former Food Minister Kamrul Islam, former Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque, former Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jasad President and former Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, former Justice A H M Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, former Home Secretary Jahangir Alam, former MP Solaiman Selim, former MP Faruk Khan, former Prime Minister's Advisor Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Sheikh Hasina's former Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F. Rahman, and former State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder.

Formal charges have been separately filed by the prosecution against Salman, Anisul, Inu, and Palak. Witness testimony is ongoing in Inu's case.

Furthermore, Tribunal-1 accepted formal charges against Sajeeb Wazed Joy (Sheikh Hasina's son) and Palak for alleged genocide through the shutdown of internet services during the July Uprising, and an arrest warrant was issued against Joy.

Anisul and Salman's formal charges include accusations of killing students and the public by enforcing a curfew. The court has taken cognizance of the charges against them and set a date for hearings.

Earlier, on October 15, Tribunal-1 instructed the investigation agency to conclude its probe into separate cases against 45 individuals, including former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, and submit the report by today.

This order was issued after the prosecution sought a two-month extension. The prosecution had also requested a three-month extension for the investigation on July 20. However, as the report was not submitted, the Tribunal granted a new deadline.

Meanwhile, security has been heightened around the Tribunal premises since this morning, and law enforcement personnel remain on high alert.