The violence during Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel was a planned, systematic and targeted operation, said Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Md Aminul Islam on Sunday.
Speaking at a press briefing at his office on Sunday, Aminul Islam said the incident amounted to a systematic crime involving widespread and targeted killings, with elements of “superior command responsibility”.
“The incident was carried out in a planned manner,” he said.
The chief prosecutor said the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal has submitted a draft investigation report to his office after completing a long investigation into the incident.
The report is now being reviewed and examined to ensure a transparent trial based on a proper investigation, he said, adding that the process would help bring the actual perpetrators before justice.
On the number of victims, Aminul Islam said investigators have so far found a list of around 61 people killed in the incident.
Of them, identities of 58 have been verified, while the identities of the remaining three are yet to be confirmed.
He alleged that after Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and activists protested against bloggers, plans were made at the highest level of the state to suppress the organisation, which eventually led to the killings at Shapla Chattar.
Asked about the names of the accused, the chief prosecutor said they could not be disclosed before the draft report is finalised.
He, however, said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been named as the main accused in the preliminary report.
The report also includes allegations against several others, including the former inspector general of police and former director general of Border Guard Bangladesh.
“These names will be reviewed and verified. Additions or removals may be made after the scrutiny process,” he said.
Aminul Islam said the final list of accused would be clear only after the formal charges are submitted before the tribunal.
Earlier in the day, a Hefazat-e-Islam delegation led by the organisation’s senior Naib-e-Ameer Abdul Hamid met the chief prosecutor at his office.
The delegation included senior leaders such as Mamunul Haque, Mufti Harun Izhar and Mufti Mir Idris.
During the meeting, Hefazat leader Azizul Haque submitted a complaint over the Shapla Chattar incident on behalf of Hefazat leaders Junaid Al Habib and Mamunul Haque.
