If incidents such as demanding bribes to provide benefits to accused persons in cases occur, the trial process of the International Crimes Tribunal becomes completely “questionable”, ICT Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said on Tuesday.
Responding to a query on whether such incidents undermine the process, he said, “If any such unethical matter happens, questions will certainly be raised about the tribunal, and our image suffers.”
His comment came following allegations that a recently retired prosecutor had demanded Tk1crore in exchange for securing bail. He was speaking to journalists at the Prosecution Office on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, a closed‑door meeting was held at the chief prosecutor’s office. After the meeting, Aminul Islam said, “We prosecutors held meeting and decided to investigate. The matter will be probed internally. If even the slightest involvement in corruption is found, action will be taken.”
Calling the allegation “serious,” he said, “Such charges should never have been raised against any of the prosecutors. Once the allegation surfaced, immediate action should have been taken. Perhaps no formal complaint reached the former chief prosecutor Tajul Islam, and while there were media reports, until a formal complaint is lodged with us, we are not legally bound to act.”
He added, “If a formal complaint about bribery reaches me, I will take action within my legal authority. Even without a formal complaint, I will initiate an internal investigation from the Chief Prosecutor’s Office. Not only this particular matter, but since the tribunal was formed after 5 August, I will set up an internal committee to review all issues.”
“Any irregularities found will be reported to the authorities, and if necessary, I will also speak with the former chief prosecutor,” he further said.
A major bribery scandal has recently rocked the prosecution team of the ICT in connection with the July uprising case.
Leaked audio recordings revealed that members of the prosecution and investigators were involved in large financial transactions in exchange for acquittal of an accused. Prosecutor Md Saimum Reza Talukder has already resigned over the matter, sparking widespread uproar in legal and administrative circles.
