Thirteen individuals, including nine former ministers from the ousted Awami League government, were produced before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in connection with cases related to killings during the July-August mass uprising.
According to ICT chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam, they were brought before the tribunal on Monday after being shown as arrested in cases concerning crimes against humanity.
He also said that all the accused are currently imprisoned for other cases.
The accused include former law minister Anisul Huq, ex-civil aviation and tourism minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Haq Inu, former state minister for posts and telecommunications Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, an adviser to the former prime minister on power and energy.
Others include former minister Dr. Dipu Moni, adviser and businessman Salman F Rahman, former ministers Kamal Ahmed Majumder and Golam Dastagir Gazi, ex-justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former home secretary Jahangir Alam, and former minister Dr. Dipu Moni.
Former agriculture minister Dr. Abdur Razzak was also scheduled to appear but was unable to do so due to illness.
On October 27, the ICT had ordered the production of these 14 accused individuals on November 18. Additionally, the court scheduled former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun, ex-army officer Ziaul Ahsan, and former police officials Abdullah Al Kafi, Arafat Hossain, Abul Hasan, and Mazharul Islam to be presented on November 20.
The ICT received various complaints, including those of killings, torture, abduction, and harassment, following the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5. The July-August uprising, initially sparked by protests over government jobs, escalated into a broader anti-government movement, resulting in widespread violence that left over 1,000 people dead and many others injured, ultimately leading to the end of Hasina's 15-year rule.
BDST: 1236 HRS, NOV 18, 2024
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