The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to formally begin an investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity against the Awami League as a political organization, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam said on Sunday (October 5).
Speaking to journalists at the tribunal premises, Tazul Islam said, “The Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), a political party, previously lodged a complaint accusing the Awami League of committing crimes against humanity as a party. Based on that complaint, we are conducting a preliminary inquiry. So, it can be said that we are now initiating the process to determine whether the Awami League, as a party, can be prosecuted as a criminal organization. Once the full-fledged investigation begins, we will be able to assess how far the case has progressed. For now, we are carefully verifying and evaluating the allegations, and a formal investigation will begin very soon.”
He added that significant progress might be seen within this month, noting, “Several trials are already underway, and a number of them are in their final stages. We expect to submit multiple charge sheets and formal charges in major cases in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, in connection with the killing of six people during the July–August movement in Kushtia, the prosecution has filed formal charges in a crimes against humanity case against Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif and three others.
Following a hearing, the tribunal has set Monday (October 6) for an order on whether to take the charges into cognizance.
