Staff Reporter:
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam on Saturday said justice will be ensured in every case of enforced disappearance.
He made the remarks in an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, to be observed tomorrow (30 August).
The chief prosecutor said many people fell victim to enforced disappearance and killing during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government.
He expressed condolences to the families of those who were forcibly disappeared and to those still waiting for their loved ones.
“We are committed to ensuring justice in every case of enforced disappearance. Those involved in such crimes must be brought to justice and given the maximum punishment so that no one becomes a victim of enforced disappearance in the future,” Aminul Islam said.
He said the prosecution would seek the death penalty for those found guilty of crimes against humanity involving enforced disappearance.
“No one, regardless of their position in society, will be given any leniency. Those against whom evidence is found in connection with allegations of disappearance will be brought to trial,” he added.
Referring to the case against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, who was arrested in connection with a crimes-against-humanity case filed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed over enforced disappearance, the chief prosecutor said the tribunal had sent him to jail.
He said trial proceedings were also underway against Brigadier Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Arman) and BNP leader Elias Ali in separate enforced disappearance cases.
Aminul Islam said complaints had been received from the families of nearly 250 victims of enforced disappearance.
“We hope to complete investigations into the complaints filed by the families of the 250 disappeared persons within this year and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
