16 Ex-Ministers Jailed in Crimes Against Humanity Case, Palak Sings National Anthem

Sixteen people, including former ministers and state ministers, have been sent to jail in a crimes against humanity case over killings and alleged genocide linked to the July–August movement of twenty-four. While being placed in a prison van, former state minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak was heard singing the national anthem.

The accused were taken into prison vans after 2:00pm on Monday (8 December). As Palak boarded the prison van, he began singing the national anthem, with several others joining in.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented an update on the progress of the case on the same day. The prosecution sought an additional two months to complete the investigation, following which the three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-1, headed by chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, directed the submission of the investigation report by 9 February next year.

In the case against Obaidul Quader, the prosecution sought discharge for four of the 45 accused, as formal charges had already been filed against them. The prosecution stated that investigation reports would be submitted against the remaining accused.

Earlier in the morning, at around 9:45am, police produced the 16 accused before the tribunal under tight security, bringing them in prison vans from Keraniganj, Kashimpur and other jails.

Those sent to jail are former law minister Anisul Huq, former education minister Dr Dipu Moni, former ICT state minister Junaid Ahmed Palak, former textiles and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, former food minister Kamrul Islam, former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaq, former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, JSD president and former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, former justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, former home secretary Jahangir Alam, former MP Sulaiman Selim, former prime minister’s adviser Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Sheikh Hasina’s former private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman and former state minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder. Former MP Faruk Khan was not brought to court due to illness.

Among them, the prosecution has filed separate formal charges against Salman, Anisul, Inu and Palak. Testimony is already being recorded in the case against Inu. Tribunal-1 has also taken formal charges into cognisance against Palak and Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy for genocide through internet shutdowns during the July uprising.

The tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Joy. Formal charges against Anisul and Salman include allegations of killing students and civilians by imposing curfew. The court has accepted the charges and fixed dates for hearings.

The prosecution has also stated that investigations against Awami League general secretary and former bridge minister Obaidul Quader, the Jubo League president and five others have been completed, and formal charges will be submitted shortly.

Khaborwala/SS