Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today fixed February 23 for questioning former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun in a case involving genocide and crimes against humanity case. Besides, the court also fixed April 28 for submitting the investigation report in the case.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a three-member bench, headed by ICT Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the prosecution. ICT Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tajul Islam conducted the hearing of the case. He told the court that the former chief of police was one of the persons of the ousted Awami league government who issued directive to eliminate student-people of the anti-discrimination movement.
“We know that helicopters were used to shoot people at that time. Who was flying this helicopter, and who were its passengers? What weapons were used by those who shot and who planned this operation? If we can interrogate him to find out all these things, new information will be revealed,” Islam said.
He further mentioned that Mamun’s colleagues remain in various positions in police, and for this reason, it is taking a long time to get information. Additionally, he stated that Mamun has complained about losing his phone and efforts are underway to recover it, as it may help uncover valuable evidence and information.
Tajul Islam requested the court to give special instructions on allowing the ICT prosecution to interrogate Mamun on a priority basis, despite the fixed date of the lower court’s interrogation. In response, the court remarked that the tribunal’s order would be considered superior, eliminating the need for separate instructions.
Abdullah Al Mamun was arrested from Uttara in the capital on September 4 last year. The former IGP is currently in jail in several other cases, including murder, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors BM Sultan Mahmud, Gazi MH Tamim, Abdullah Al Noman, Tarek Abdullah, and Barrister Shyikh Mahdi were present during the court hearing.