Dhaka: The International Crime Tribunal (ICT) has issued an arrest warrant for the former Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Md Harun-or-Rashid, over alleged crimes against humanity during the anti-discrimination students-people movement of last July-August.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, made the decision after hearing a petition from ICT’s chief prosecutor, Mohammad Rajul Islam. The tribunal has also authorized a petition for investigators to question Sub-Inspector Abdul Malek of Ashulia thana and Constable Mukul Chokdar on January 30 and 28, respectively. This is in connection with a case involving the alleged killing and burning of six students’ bodies.
ICT Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim presented the petition before the tribunal. Furthermore, on December 24, the tribunal directed law enforcement agencies and ICT investigators to arrest former lawmaker of Dhaka-19 constituency, Saiful Islam, along with four police officials from Ashulia thana, on similar allegations.
The tribunal has also ordered the relevant authorities to submit a progress report on the investigation and present the accused individuals before the tribunal by January 26. The previous government, led by Sheikh Hasina and her party Awami League, along with certain law enforcement elements, have been accused of committing crimes against humanity to suppress the anti-discrimination students’ movement. The ICT is tasked with prosecuting these alleged crimes.