Investigations into 251 cases of enforced disappearance during Awami League rule are expected to be completed soon, with trials aimed to begin within this year, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has said.
He made the remarks at a press briefing at the tribunal’s office on Sunday.
The chief prosecutor said all 251 victims of enforced disappearance were abducted by law enforcement agencies using the same method, with each incident following an almost identical pattern. “For this reason, we consider this a widespread and systematic crime, amounting to a crime against humanity. Today, members of 55 disappeared-persons’ families have come here, and 18 investigation officers from our investigation agency are taking their statements. Statements will gradually be taken from members of all the families in this way, and all documents in their possession will be seized,” he said.
Aminul said, “We have been able to identify many of the perpetrators to a large extent. We have almost identified who abducted them, how, and from which locations. But for the sake of the investigation, we do not want to disclose everything. Some of those already arrested in other cases may be involved. Some may still be serving. Some may have already retired. At this stage, we are working to complete the investigation quickly with the goal of starting the trial within this year.”
He said security has been increased for family members of the disappeared, and the movements of identified suspects are being monitored. Security has been strengthened for bringing suspects in and out of the tribunal. He appealed to the government to ensure full security for family members who are giving or will give testimony.
He added that there are concerns family members of the disappeared could become targets. “We see no reason to consider the perpetrators friends — they could strike at us at any time, in their own way. Likewise, we are asking the victims’ families to remain vigilant themselves, particularly so that our investigation is not disrupted or sabotaged in any way.”
The 251 enforced-disappearance complaints were filed with the tribunal by Mayer Daak, an organization representing families of the disappeared. Led by the organization’s Tuli, 55 members of disappeared-persons’ families came to the tribunal Sunday, where 18 investigation officers are taking their statements.