ICT Trial For July-August Mass-Killing Begins

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has begun trial proceedings in connection with the crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.

The prosecution will seek arrest warrants against 50 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ICT sources said on Thursday (October 17).

It is reported that Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam will appeal against the accused. However, details regarding who will be charged first and how many will be charged, are awaited. The trials began after 10am.

After Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder was appointed the new ICT chairman on October 15, law adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said, “We have completed a big step from the law ministry to initiate the trial in ICT by reconstituting the tribunal. We hope the trial will start very soon.”

On August 5, the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina-led government came to an end. The Awami League government carried out indiscriminate killings to prevent the movement of students and people, resulting in the deaths of about 1,500 people during the movement.