Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has become a state approver in the July-August massacre case.
Admitting his involvement in the crimes against humanity, Mamun told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Thursday that he would reveal all the secrets related to the massacre. He said he had participated in the killings and now wished to testify voluntarily.
The ICT-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, has officially commenced the trial proceedings against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for their roles in the massacre. The opening statement will be given on August 3 and witness testimonies will begin on August 4.
Standing before the tribunal, the former IGP admitted five allegations against him and expressed his desire to be a state approver in the case. Subsequently, the tribunal gave him the permission to be the state witness. The other two members of the tribunal were Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam along with his team moved for the state, while senior advocate Amir Hossain represented ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. On the other hand, advocate Zayed Bin Amjad moved for the former IGP.
Earlier, on May 12, investigators submitted a report naming Sheikh Hasina as the person who ordered the July massacre. The tribunal had asked the investigators to finish the investigation by April 20.
The case is linked to the student-led movement against discrimination that took place last year. At the time, the Awami League government used deadly force against unarmed students and civilians, resulting in the deaths of around 1,500 people.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT) has framed charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun for crimes against humanity during last year’s July-August uprising.
A three-member ICT bench, headed by the tribunal's Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order on Tbursday after rejecting a defence plea to dismiss the charges.
The other two members of the tribunal that issued the order are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury.
With yesterday's order, the formal trial against Sheikh Hasina and other defendants in the case for crimes against humanity has begun for the first time.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam appeared for the state during the hearing when prosecutors were present at the hearing. On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain appeared the case on behalf of Sheikh Hasina.
In addition, lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad appeared on behalf of former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who was arrested earlier in the case.
On June 16, Tribunal-1 ordered to publish a notice in a Bengali and an English newspaper for appearance of the fugitive Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal before the court, and the next day, notice was published in the two newspapers asking Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to surrender within 7 days.
However, after the notice was issued, the two fugitive accused did not appear before the tribunal, and a hearing was scheduled for framing charges in this case by a state-appointed lawyer.
Then, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam prayed for beginning of the trial by framing charges against the accused.
On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain, on behalf of Hasina and Kamal, requested the court to discharge the accused from the charges.
After hearing both the sides, Tribunal-1 set July 10 as the date for the order on framing charges.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 took into cognizance the formal charges against ousted Sheikh Hasina on June 1 for crimes against humanity committed during the student-mass uprising in July-August, last year.
Along with Sheikh Hasina, the prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who are accused in this case.
That day, the tribunal's judicial proceedings were telecast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV).
