Former US diplomats offer support to ICT

Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh William B Milam and former US diplomat John Danilovich have expressed their willingness to assist the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in ensuring justice, combating misinformation, and shaping international opinion.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam shared this information while briefing journalists yesterday after meeting with the two former US diplomats, who now represent the US-based think tank Right to Freedom (R2F).

Tajul said Milam and Danilovich visited his office to inquire about the judicial progress regarding the atrocities committed during the July uprising.

"They also asked whether we face any obstacles in ensuring justice. They expressed interest in learning more about the enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings that occurred over the last 15 years under Sheikh Hasina's rule," he said.

He also noted that the two diplomats emphasised their neutral stance and urged the government to ensure exemplary punishment to prevent such crimes in the future.

Meanwhile, the ICT yesterday extended the deadline by three months for submitting the investigation report on the killing of college student Muhammad Hridoy during the uprising in Gazipur's Konabari.

The tribunal also approved a one-day interrogation of Constable Akram Hossain, who directly shot Hridoy, an eleventh grader at Hemnagar Degree College in Tangail. On August 5, Akram allegedly shot Hridoy at point-blank range after police encircled him.