DHAKA, May 9, 2025 (BSS) - The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has hoped that the formation of the second tribunal would expedite the trials of crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.

"We want to thank the government for forming the second tribunal. We, from the prosecution, are working to prepare the formal charges. The investigation agency of the ICT is also working relentlessly to complete the probe. We hope the nation would be able to see the proper trial process through ICT-1 and ICT-2 over the crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising," said prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim.

The government on May 8 formed ICT-2 led by former High Court Division Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, with former district and sessions judge Manjurul Bashid and current Madaripur District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as its members.

A Law and Justice Division gazette notification signed by its secretary Sheikh Abu Taher, said from now on the existing tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder will be identified as ICT-1.

The government on October 14, 2024, reconstituted ICT with High Court Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder as its chairman. The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Hoque Anam Chowdhury.

Prosecutor Tamim in his official reaction said the investigation of a couple allegations are at the fag end and the prosecution has already received a probe report in the case lodged over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.

"The investigation agency has informed the prosecution that probe into cases against Sheikh Hasina, members of former cabinet and senior officials of law enforcing agencies is nearing end. We hope a couple of formal charges are likely to be filed at the tribunal within this month. It would have been difficult to complete trial process rapidly through the sole tribunal and that is why the government has formed the second tribunal," the prosecutor added.

He hoped that if the trial continues simultaneously at the two tribunals, the nation will get justice over July-August crimes against humanity very soon.