The International Crimes Tribunal’s investigation agency has submitted a draft report alleging that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the principal accused in the May 5, 2013, Shapla Chattar killings, with prosecutors saying they plan to file formal charges Tuesday to begin trial proceedings.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam met Sunday with Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and relatives of victims to review the draft report, describing the consultation as part of an effort to ensure transparency and accuracy before charges are filed.
According to the prosecution, the draft report names 42 accused, including Hasina and 41 others. Those listed include former Army Chief Gen. Aziz Ahmed, former police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion chiefs, politicians Hasanul Haq Inu and Shahriar Kabir, and journalists Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa.
“We found a preliminary report against Sheikh Hasina in the draft list. We can broadly say there is a draft report against a few others, including the police chief and BGB chief, which we will verify,” Tajul Islam said.
The investigation concluded that 61 people were killed during the crackdown on the Hefazat-e-Islam rally and related violence, which prosecutors said also occurred in Narayanganj, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong. Investigators said they have positively identified 58 of the victims.
“In the draft list, we found a list of about 61 people, but we have already identified 58. The identification of the rest was not possible, but our list contains 61 people,” Tajul Islam said.
He characterized the alleged crimes as systematic.
“This was a widespread and targeted killing, involving superior responsibility and the participation of local perpetrators. The state made various plans to completely annihilate this population,” he said.
The chief prosecutor said the review meeting was intended to ensure that the investigation was complete and impartial before charges are submitted.
“We will not bring in any innocent person as an accused, but we are taking precautions to ensure that no guilty accused is left out,” he said.
Asked about the inclusion of journalists among those named in the draft report, Tajul Islam said prosecutorial decisions would be based on evidence rather than profession.
“Who will be accused and who will not… when we bring someone to trial, surely you will understand then why someone became an accused or didn’t. This is a matter of trial. We do not look at it as police, journalist, lawyer, or doctor during an investigation,” he said.
Hefazat-e-Islam representatives said they were satisfied with the draft report following the meeting. They said the casualty figures reflected only those victims whose identities could be verified.
“Since there was a state-sponsored attempt at the time to disappear the martyrs of Shapla, the number that has come up is only of those whose authentic information we have collected,” representatives said.
Tajul Islam said he expects to file the formal charge sheet on Tuesday, when the tribunal resumes proceedings.
If the tribunal accepts the charges, the case will move into formal trial proceedings, and prosecutors said they will seek arrest warrants for defendants who remain fugitives.