Sixteen members of former dictator Sheikh Hasina's cabinet, including ex-Law Minister Anisul Huq, former Adviser on Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman, and former State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, have been presented before the International Crimes Tribunal. They face charges related to crimes against humanity for alleged killings and massacres during the July-August uprising.
Other accused individuals include Ministers Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaq, Shajahan Khan, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Golam Dastagir Gazi, Amir Hossain Amu, Qamrul Islam, former Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu, former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, and former Home Secretary Jahangir Alam.
On Tuesday (February 18) at around 10:15 am, they were brought to the tribunal in a prison van. The hearing is being conducted at the International Crimes Tribunal, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar.
On December 16, the tribunal granted until February 18 to submit an investigation report against 16 people, including 11 former ministers, for alleged crimes against humanity related to the killings during July-August.
Earlier, on November 18, the tribunal ordered the completion of the investigation within a month against 46 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July-August massacre.
On November 18, 13 accused, including 9 former ministers, were presented before the International Crimes Tribunal.
Background:
The trial at the International Crimes Tribunal is being held against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other accused for allegedly ordering and planning the shooting and killings of unarmed students and civilians during an anti-discrimination student movement. The Awami League government allegedly carried out indiscriminate killings to suppress the movement, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,500 people.
The 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina's government ended on August 5 amidst student-civilian protests. Following her ousting, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus took charge and initiated the decision to prosecute those responsible for the July-August massacre.
