Staff Correspondent:

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has formally begun an investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity against Awami League as a political party, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said on Tuesday.

“An investigation officer has already been appointed to carry out the probe. The investigation has officially started,” he said while speaking to reporters on the premises of the ICT in Dhaka.

This is the first time in history that the ICT prosecution has decided to investigate a political party over allegations of crimes against humanity.

The chief prosecutor said the assigned officers will try to complete their task as soon as possible. “Upon receiving the investigation report, appropriate legal steps will be taken regarding the Awami League as a party,” he said.

Responding to a query, Tajul said the investigation was initiated after issuing a complaint registration number based on a previously lodged complaint.

When asked whether testimonies presented earlier in the tribunal would have any bearing on the case, Tajul replied, “Witnesses have already mentioned the party’s involvement during their depositions before the tribunal. These statements are now part of judicial records. Hence, those testimonies will serve as vital evidence in the upcoming investigation against the party.”

Regarding concerns that recent amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act might raise questions about the credibility of the trials, Tajul said, “There is no scope for that.”

“The trial process against the Awami League as a party has not started yet. Questions can arise only when a law is amended during an ongoing trial, but the amendment made recently has not yet been applied,” he explained.

Responding to a query on whether the law allows for the punishment of a political party, Tajul said, “A party itself cannot be punished like an individual. However, the law specifies the types of penalties that can be imposed on a party — such as banning it, imposing other sanctions, seizing its properties, or issuing directives concerning its leaders and activists. All of these measures are included in the law.”

The chief prosecutor further said that the investigation against the Awami League is now underway, and if credible allegations are brought against any other political party in the future, those will also be investigated accordingly.

Tajul said, “If formal charges are submitted to the ICT against any individual, that person will no longer be eligible to contest in any election in Bangladesh — that is, he cannot participate in parliamentary elections.”

“The individual also cannot become a mayor or chairman in any local government institution, nor can he be appointed to any government or public office. This amendment has been made, and it is a new inclusion.”

“You may ask why this change was made again. What we believe is that in a post-revolutionary environment, when the state is undergoing a reconstruction process, the government — in the interest of the nation and to move the country forward — is bringing various amendments to different laws, including this one, to put the state back on the right track. This amendment has been made as part of that process and according to the necessity of the time. From now on, this law will be applicable in that manner.”

On Monday President Mohammed Shahabuddin promulgated an ordinance amending the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 in this regard.