Dhaka, Sept 6 (V7N) – Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Md Aminul Islam today said there is no reason to consider criminals as friends at all times, as they may “strike at any time in their own way,” warning that intelligence suggests some accused individuals could be planning sabotage or other subversive activities to disrupt ongoing investigations into enforced disappearances .
The chief prosecutor made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at his office, where family members of 55 victims of enforced disappearance had gathered to provide statements .
“There are some accused whose movements and activities have appeared suspicious. We have received some confidential information suggesting that some of them may carry out acts of sabotage or other disruptive activities,” he said .
The chief prosecutor said the incidents of enforced disappearance have been described as a “widespread and systematic attack” because individual cases bear similarities to one another .
“For this reason, we have identified them as widespread and systematic crimes and considered them as crimes against humanity,” he said. The involvement of the same individuals has repeatedly emerged in connection with 251 victims of enforced disappearance who have so far not returned, he added .
Security personnel at the tribunal have been alerted and instructed to strengthen security measures . The prosecution has sought government assistance to ensure the safety of victims' families and prevent attempts to disrupt the investigation .
“We believe there is no reason to consider the criminals as friends at all times. They may strike at any time in their own way. Keeping this in mind, we are carrying out our work. Just as we are remaining vigilant, we will ask the government to remain equally alert. We will also advise the families of the victims to remain cautious,” he said .
Regarding the proposed law on enforced disappearances, the chief prosecutor said the “Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Act” is already in the process of being enacted . He described it as a “highly timely law” that could give fresh momentum to the prosecution of enforced disappearance cases across the country .
Meanwhile, 55 families of victims of enforced disappearance visited the Chief Prosecutor's Office today led by Sanjida Islam Tuli, coordinator of Mayer Dak, an organisation representing the relatives of victims of enforced disappearance . The investigation agency will record statements from the family members .
The chief prosecutor said the prosecution had begun investigating the enforced disappearance of 251 people during the previous Awami League government as crimes against humanity . He warned that any attempt at subversive activity would be “suicidal” for those involved .
Note:The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh is a domestic war crimes tribunal established in 2009 to prosecute individuals accused of committing crimes against humanity and genocide during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. In recent years, its mandate has been expanded to investigate enforced disappearances as crimes against humanity, particularly those alleged to have occurred under the previous Awami League government .
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