Tribunal extends probe deadline for ex-ministers, former judge in crimes against humanity case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has granted an additional three months to submit the investigation report in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the anti-discrimination student movement.

The case involves several heavyweight former ministers, state ministers, secretaries, and a retired judge of the Awami League government. The tribunal directed the investigation agency to submit the report by 26 July.

The order was passed today (26 April) by a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim appeared for the prosecution and submitted a progress report in the case, seeking three more months to complete the investigation.

Tamim said the case involves a total of 46 accused. Formal charges have already been filed in phases against many of them, and trials in several cases are underway. Investigations against the remaining accused are still ongoing, he said, expressing hope that the report would be submitted within the extended timeframe.

Trials are currently ongoing against former law minister Anisul Huq; former adviser to prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Salman F Rahman; and former ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, among others.

Earlier in the morning, nine accused were produced before the tribunal after being brought from jail in prison vans. They are former social welfare minister Dipu Moni, former textiles and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque, former shipping minister Shahjahan Khan, former justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former home secretary Jahangir Alam, former MP Solaiman Selim, and Taufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on power, energy and mineral resources.