The prosecution and investigation agencies of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) are set to undergo another restructuring following the change in government.
The move comes amid controversies surrounding some members of the prosecution team appointed during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as well as efforts to accelerate trials related to crimes against humanity.
Several new appointments have already been made, with more prosecutors expected to be recruited soon. Some existing members may be dropped, while changes are also planned within the investigation agency. However, to avoid controversy, the process will be carried out gradually.
Although discussions have begun over forming a third tribunal due to the growing number of cases, the government is not currently considering that option. Instead, it believes strengthening and expanding the prosecution and investigation teams will be sufficient to handle the workload.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said, “The prosecution and investigation agencies will be overhauled. However, the government is not currently considering increasing the number of tribunals. So far, I have not found any reason to question the functioning of the current tribunals, but if any issue arises, we will certainly look into it.”
A tribunal official told TIMES of Bangladesh that some prosecutors appointed during the interim government had become “somewhat complacent.” According to the official, they no longer appear fully committed to handling cases and seem to believe that the government is not genuinely serious about the trial process. “As a result, the same level of urgency is no longer visible in conducting the cases,” the official said, adding that allegations had also emerged against some members of the investigation agency. The matter is reportedly under observation by the prosecution’s high command.
Asked about the issue, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, who was appointed after the BNP came to power, said the growing number of ongoing and newly investigated cases has stretched the limited workforce thin.
Meanwhile, a fact-finding committee is investigating corruption allegations against members of the prosecution team. Evidence has reportedly emerged that one prosecutor demanded money from an accused person in exchange for unethical favours in an ongoing case. Another prosecutor, Sultan Mahmud, also raised corruption allegations against prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim. These incidents have embarrassed the prosecution team.
The chief prosecutor said, “We are uncompromising when it comes to the trial of crimes against humanity. I will not tolerate corruption in any form. However, I do not have the authority to decide who stays in the prosecution team and who is removed. Everyone is a member of my team, and I view them equally.”
The ICT was established in 2010 by the Awami League government to prosecute crimes against humanity committed during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Following the July 2024 mass uprising, the interim government decided to also try cases related to deaths during the movement under the tribunal, categorising them as crimes against humanity.
So far, verdicts have been delivered in four cases, including death sentences for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. A total of 55 people have been convicted, while four more cases are nearing completion.
Currently, 22 cases are under trial in the two tribunals, including one awaiting verdict. Proceedings in three other cases are expected to conclude soon.
Among those arrested are 74 civilian individuals, including former ministers and MPs of the Awami League government, 65 police personnel, 20 current and former military officers, and one member of the Ansar force.
