International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has expressed doubts over whether the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi fall under the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
He said the tribunal would first examine whether the killings meet the legal criteria for a crime against humanity before deciding whether it can investigate the case.
Aminul Islam made the remarks while speaking to reporters after Nausher Alam, the complainant in the murder case, submitted an application seeking a fresh investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the killings.
“I do not know to what extent the tribunal’s investigation agency has the legal jurisdiction to investigate this case,” the chief prosecutor said.
He said the application would be reviewed to determine whether the murders were part of a “widespread and systematic” attack.
“If the incident does not fall within the scope of a widespread and systematic crime, the victim’s family will be informed. If it does, the matter will be considered,” he said.
Runi’s brother Nausher Alam earlier submitted the application to the chief prosecutor, describing the murders as a crime against humanity and seeking a fresh investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
According to the application, Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi were murdered at their rented home in West Rajabazar under Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station in Dhaka on the night of 11 February 2012.
The family urged the tribunal to conduct a fair and proper investigation, identify the actual killers and others responsible, and ensure their prosecution and punishment.
A tribunal prosecutor told TIMES of Bangladesh that Section 3(2)(a) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act lists acts such as murder, rape, detention, abduction, enforced disappearance and human trafficking as crimes against humanity, subject to certain conditions.
The prosecutor said such acts must be committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians to qualify as crimes against humanity under the law.
“Not every murder can be considered a crime against humanity under this provision,” the prosecutor said.
Whether the Sagar-Runi murders fall within the tribunal’s jurisdiction will therefore depend on whether an investigation finds that the killings meet the legal threshold of a “widespread and systematic” attack under the Act.
