Staff Reporter:
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who became an approver in crimes against humanity case filed over atrocities during the July Mass Uprising, yesterday pleaded guilty and sought mercy for his role.
Mamun made his plea before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) as part of his deposition in the case against him, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
Testifying before the tribunal, Mamun said the killings and other brutal acts during the uprising were carried out on the instructions of Sheikh Hasina and Kamal.
He sought forgiveness from the families of the martyrs, the injured, the people of the country, and the International Crimes Tribunal for his involvement.
“If my sincere and complete testimony can help bring out the truth and if Allah grants me more life, I will spend the rest of my days with at least some relief from the burden of guilt,” Mamun told the tribu-nal.
Mamun, who served 36 and a half years in the police force, said policing is a “tricky job” that always draws public complaints. He claimed that throughout his career, no allegations were ever brought against him and that he had carried out his duties with humanity and integrity.
“Yet, at the end of my career, such a grave mass killing took place during my tenure. I accept responsi-bility for that,” the former police chief said.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim took part in the hearing yesterday.
Advocate Amir Hossain, state-appointed defence counsel for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Advocate Zayed Bin Amzad, counsel for Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, were also pre-sent at the time.
A total of 36 PWs have so far testified in the crimes against humanity case against Hasina, Kamal and Mamun.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, with intelli-gence reports suggesting they were in India.
The prosecution has brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Hasina, Kamal and Mamun, following the probe report filed by the ICT investigation agency on May 12.
