Staff Reporter:
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said most of the cases filed to suppress the student-led mass movement be-tween July 1 and August 5 have been withdrawn.
He said this at a press conference titled “100 Days of Interim Government: A Report from the Ministry of Law” at the Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday.
The adviser said that the government is in the final stages of drafting new Cyber Security Ordinance, 2024 in coordination with the Information and Communication Technology Department after repealing the Cyber Security Act, 2023.
He clarified that all cases filed under the repealed Cyber Security Act particularly those related to speech offenses would be withdrawn.
However, cases involving hacking or other computer crimes will continue to be prosecuted, he added.
The adviser said that the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology assisted in the repeal process after consulting with relevant stakeholders.
When asked about legal actions against those involved in the “case business,” he said that the government will take necessary legal steps against them.
In response to a query about potential amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, he said, “Wait for a couple of days. The amendment has to be approved by the Advisory Council. The proposal we have does not directly empower the courts, but if the court deems it necessary, it can recommend punitive actions to the authorities concerned.”
He said Sheikh Hasina fled the country leaving her workers behind and three days before her departure she sent her family abroad. “Her party members should question her about why she fled leaving them behind.”