ICT extends probe deadline over deaths in Uttara

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has extended the deadline by two months for submitting the investigation report on crimes against humanity involving former DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam and others in the July uprising, which led to the deaths of 200 students and civilians in Uttara.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam filed a petition for the extension, stating that the investigation agency needs two more months to submit the probe report as they are getting new evidence regarding the atrocities in Uttara.

Yesterday was the deadline for submission of the probe report.

The three-member tribunal bench, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, granted the request.

The prosecution also sought permission to interrogate former assistant commissioner of DB Javed Iqbal and former Uttara East Police Station OC Muzibor Rahman. The tribunal approved the petition, scheduling their interrogations for March 16 and 18 at safe homes.

Additionally, an arrest warrant was issued for three police officers allegedly involved in the killings at Rampura during the uprising. However, their names were withheld for security reasons.

Nine accused, including Atiqul Islam, were brought to court around 12:15pm yesterday.

After the court proceedings, they were later taken away in a police prison van at 1:50pm, handcuffed and wearing helmets. As they were being taken to the police van, a police member pointing to journalists said, "Please do not talk to the accused. You people are responsible for their today's sufferings."

Generally, accused are not taken to the tribunal in handcuffs and helmets.

Asked about this, ICT Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim suggested it may have been a jail authority directive to prevent them from speaking to the media.

Meanwhile, former diplomat M Maroof Zaman, who was held in secret detention for 15 months, lodged a complaint with the ICT's chief prosecutor, accusing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several others. Zaman disappeared in December 2017 on his way to Dhaka airport and returned home in March 2019.