Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam has said that a preliminary investigation is being initiated with the aim of prosecuting the Awami League as a political party.
He made the remarks on Sunday (October 5) while speaking to journalists at the tribunal premises in response to a question.
Tajul Islam said, “A political party named NDM had earlier filed a complaint. We are starting the investigation based on that complaint. Therefore, it can be said that at this moment we are initiating a preliminary investigation with the objective of prosecuting the Awami League as a criminal organization. Once the investigation gets fully underway, we will be able to determine how far the matter may proceed.”
Earlier, demands were made for the trial of the Awami League and its allies in the 14-party coalition on charges of genocide, accusing them of ordering the suppression of the anti-discrimination student and mass movement.
On October 2, National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj submitted a petition to the Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal.
Tajul Islam, Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim, and Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud were present at the briefing, alongside Bobby Hajjaj.
The complaint alleged that the Awami League and its 14-party allies—including the Samyabadi Dal, Gonotantrik Mojdur Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), Workers Party of Bangladesh (Menon), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Toriqat Federation, Ganatantri Party, National Awami Party (NAP), Gano Azadi League, Communist Centre, Basad, and Jatiya Party-JP—were collectively responsible for genocide and should be brought to trial before the International Crimes Tribunal after due investigation.
Following the mass uprising, ousted Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5 last year. The previous parliament was subsequently dissolved, and a new interim government led by Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on August 8.
In addition to cases filed in various police stations across the country with allegations of murder, genocide, and grievous injury under the directives of the former government, complaints are also being lodged with the International Crimes Tribunal on behalf of victims seeking justice.