A five-member committee has been formed to investigate allegations raised against several prosecutors of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam constituted the committee on Tuesday, with himself as its head. The other members are Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar, Marjina Rayhan Madina, Zahirul Amin, and another research officer.
Earlier, the chief prosecutor informed journalists at noon that an investigation committee would be formed.
A closed-door meeting was held in the morning at the conference room of the chief prosecutor’s office, attended by the majority of prosecutors. Meeting sources revealed that the chief prosecutor was distressed and expressed regret over the allegations raised against the prosecutors.
He urged everyone to work with responsibility and caution. Aminul Islam stated that if allegations arise against any prosecutor, the tribunal’s judicial process becomes questionable. “During my tenure, if the slightest allegation of corruption arises against any prosecutor, it will not be tolerated. To work at the tribunal, one must be free from greed. Everyone must rise above greed and avarice. If one cannot do so, there is no need to remain here. Anyone can leave.”
During the meeting, prosecutors shared various opinions. Discussions were held on what actions should be taken in the situation that has arisen and how the matter could be resolved. Some prosecutors proposed forming an internal committee to investigate the incidents. Subsequently, a decision was made to form the committee.
Earlier, various allegations were raised against prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim and Sultan Mahmud. Most recently, on Monday, an allegation surfaced that another prosecutor, Saimum Reza Talukder, had demanded a bribe in exchange for providing benefits to an accused in an ongoing trial.
From leaked audio recordings, it was learned that members of the prosecution team and those involved in the investigation had engaged in large-scale financial transactions in exchange for securing the acquittal of an accused in a case. Prosecutor Saimum has already resigned, causing widespread upheaval in legal and administrative circles.
