The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) have sent former ministers Amir Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam to jail on charges of crimes against humanity linked to the July-August mass uprising.
The tribunal’s prosecutor Advocate Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the matter during a briefing at the International Crimes Tribunal today (4 December).
The court also asked them to be produced before the tribunal on 18 December, he added.
Amir Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam were taken to the tribunal premises in a prison van around 10:20am.
According to the prosecution, the former ministers were shown arrested in a case filed with New Market police station over crimes against humanity during the recent mass uprising.
He also said, “We have presented a report on the allegations found against them through the investigation to the tribunal. Our application was accepted and they were shown arrested in the tribunal’s case.
Regarding the absconding accused, MH Tamim said, “Although the tribunal has already issued arrest warrants against 70 people, not all have been arrested. Only a few people have been arrested. The rest are obstructing the investigation of the case by remaining absconding. The government will request the law enforcement agencies to ensure the arrest of the remaining people quickly.”
Earlier on 2 December, the tribunal ordered the relevant authorities to ensure their presence for today’s proceedings.
Amu, a member of the Awami League’s advisory council and former industries minister, was detained by Detective Branch (DB) police on 6 November in the capital.
Qamrul Islam, former food minister, was detained on 18 November from Uttara, Dhaka.
Both face allegations related to the murder of Abdul Wadud, a 45-year-old trader from Priyangon Shopping Centre in New Market, who was killed on 19 July during the student-led movement.
Wadud’s relative Abdur Rahman filed the case on 21 August against 130 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, Anisul Huq, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Salman F Rahman.
