Formal charges against 7 Awami League leaders this week: Prosecution

The prosecution will file formal charges this week against seven senior Awami League leaders over alleged crimes against humanity during the July Uprising, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said today (26 October).

Formal charges in a separate crimes-against-humanity case involving alleged offences in Mirpur are also expected to be submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal this week, he said.

Aminul Islam disclosed the developments while speaking to journalists on the tribunal premises this evening.

He said the investigation report against the seven Awami League leaders had already been submitted to the prosecution and the formal charges had been prepared. The prosecution expects to file them with the tribunal by the end of the week.

The accused are Amir Hossain Amu, Dr Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaque, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Faruk Khan, Mirza Azam and Shahjahan Khan.

Asked about the allegations, the chief prosecutor said the accused faced charges similar to those brought against other leaders in related cases.

These include allegations of superior leadership responsibility, involvement in political decision-making and meetings, imposing curfews, and planning mass killings under the cover of curfews.

He said the prosecution would provide further details after filing the formal charges.

Formal charges in the Mirpur crimes-against-humanity case have also been prepared and are expected to be filed this week, Aminul Islam said.

The accused in that case include Kamal Ahmed Majumder and former MP Ilias Ali Mollah, along with others.

The chief prosecutor added that investigation reports in several other cases had reached the prosecution. After reviewing them, prosecutors were working to file formal charges in several cases within the next seven to 10 days.