DHAKA, Dec 28, 2024 (BSS) - Chief Prosecutor of the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) Mohammad Tajul Islam today said the trial of main accused of the July mass killing will be completed within one year.

“Usually the ‘top commanders’ or top offenders are being tried by the ICT for mass killing or crimes against humanity,” he said while addressing the first session of a two-day dialogue on “From Enforced disappearance, murder to July Mass Killing-Challenges of Trial” at the auditorium of the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) here.

Forum for Bangladesh Studies organized the two-day dialogue on “Unity, Reforms and Election”. 

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said that the main target of the tribunal comprising 10 prosecutors and 17 investigators is to try the masterminds or main perpetrators of the July mass killing and crimes against humanity. These masterminds or top offenders staying in top positions of the state ordered to carry out the mass killing and committing crimes against humanity, he said, adding that the trial of thousands of offenders is not possible by the tribunal.

Most of the top government officials, Awami League and its front organizations were also engaged in the mass killing, he said, adding that most of the bosses of law and order forces were also involved in the killings. 

The main nucleus of the of the July-August mass killing was former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Tajul Islam said, adding that the tribunal is giving priority to try the former prime minister and those who were served in her chain of command.

“We want to complete the trial of the top offenders as soon as possible,” the Chief Prosecutor said, adding that the tribunal has enough capacity to do that. 

Separate cases were registered with respective police stations for the crimes committed across the country and that would be tried in general courts, he added.