The International Crimes Tribunal’s chief prosecutor Aminul Islam said an investigation is underway against the Awami League as an organization after its name repeatedly surfaced in connection with crimes against humanity and other offenses. He said the party could be banned and all its assets seized by the state if charges are proven.
Speaking to reporters at his office on Sunday, Aminul Islam said if investigation reports also implicate the Awami League’s 14-party alliance partners, action would be taken against them as well.
He said the laws under which the party faces trial — the International Crimes Tribunal Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act — were enacted by the Awami League itself. “The Awami League aided and abetted the establishment of autocracy from 1982 to 1990. Democracy was usurped. People were killed indiscriminately,” he said.
The chief prosecutor added that after coming to power in 2009, the Awami League “established fascism in Bangladesh” and “destroyed all institutions” over 16 years. He cited the three elections held during that period — conducted at night, as single-party affairs, or with dummy candidates — and the July uprising in which security forces were “unleashed” against students and citizens.
On the question of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s possible return and appeal rights, Aminul Islam said the 30-working-day appeal window after sentencing has already expired. “If she returns and wishes to take legal steps, we will see what the situation is then. But we want her to come back and challenge her sentence,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report