The government has appointed Supreme Court lawyer Md Aminul Islam as chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal to conduct prosecutions in cases involving crimes against humanity. At the same time, the appointment of Mohammad Tajul Islam as chief prosecutor has been cancelled.
The Solicitor Wing of the Ministry of Law issued a notification in this regard on Monday. The notification was signed by Solicitor Md Manzurul Hossain.
It stated that, under Section 7 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, lawyer Aminul Islam has been appointed chief prosecutor of the tribunal to conduct cases until further order. The appointment of Mohammad Tajul Islam as chief prosecutor has been revoked. Tajul Islam had been appointed to the post on 5 September 2024.
‘Punishment of real offenders will be ensured’
Newly appointed chief prosecutor Aminul Islam said that the real perpetrators would be brought to justice and punished at the International Crimes Tribunal. He added that innocent individuals would not face any form of harassment.
He made the remarks in the afternoon on the tribunal premises while speaking to journalists. Earlier in the day, he formally assumed charge at his office from outgoing chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. Prosecutors welcomed the new chief prosecutor with flowers. He later visited the chief prosecutor’s office and exchanged greetings with members of the prosecution team.
The chief prosecutor said, “Today I have assumed responsibility. I will oversee all activities of this tribunal. After taking charge, I have realised that this is an extremely important responsibility. I will try to perform my duties in line with the aspirations of the martyrs and the injured of the July Revolution.”
He added that he would endeavour to conduct the cases with skill, competence and knowledge, and sought cooperation from all concerned.
He further said that the trial proceedings would be conducted in accordance with the expectations of the law, without harbouring any malice towards anyone. “There will be no ill intent against anyone through us,” he said.
Expressing hope that the pace of trials would increase, Aminul Islam said there was no scope for the ongoing trials to slow down. “Rather, through the prosecution, the pace will further increase, as the political party-led government has come to power to accelerate the country’s progress,” he said.
Outgoing chief prosecutor hopes unfinished work will be completed
Outgoing chief prosecutor Tajul Islam welcomed the new chief prosecutor. Speaking to journalists on the tribunal premises on Monday, he expressed hope that the trial process of crimes against humanity at the International Crimes Tribunal would continue at a normal pace. He said he would cooperate with the new chief prosecutor if required.
He described the responsibility of conducting cases on behalf of the state as highly challenging. However, he said they were hopeful that under new leadership the prosecution would become stronger and more dynamic.
Several investigations and trial proceedings initiated during his tenure are still ongoing, he noted. “Our main objective was to ensure justice. I hope the new chief prosecutor will maintain that continuity and complete the unfinished tasks,” he said.
He added that the judicial process is a continuous matter in which the institution, not any individual, is paramount. Members of the prosecution team have been discharging their duties with professionalism, and he hoped that this continuity would be maintained in the future.
