DHAKA, May 29, 2025 (BSS) - The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today sought responsible cooperation from all concerned in ensuring justice.

“Any false and intentional misinterpretation of law in mass media or social media platforms obstructs the efforts to ensure justice,” the ICT said in a statement, signed by its administrative officer Md Masud Rana.  It protested the aggressive, false and intentional remarks against the ICT Prosecution.

Some social media statements regarding the ‘conflict of interest’ in the hearing of ATM Azaharul Islam’s case in the Appellate Division has been drawn the attention of the prosecution, which is totally unreal, false, intentional and misinterpretation of law, the ICT said, adding that at the same time, there were some personal attacks and aggressive statements about the members of the prosecution team that is also defamatory and unseemly. 

The office of the Chief Prosecutor in this regard said that the Chief Prosecutor remained absent from the hearing after mentioning the matter in the Appellate Division on the first day as he worked as a defense lawyer of ATM Azaharul Islam in the ICT. Later, Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque moved for the state and prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim, Barrister Shaikh Mahadi and Md Mamunur Rashid moved for the prosecution and none of them earlier moved for ATM Azaharul Islam in the ICT.

During the hearing, the Attorney General Office and the ICT prosecution submitted their arguments and explanations before the Appellate Division, the statement said, adding that the prosecution also opposed the statements of the defense lawyers regarding the formation and proceedings of the ICT and the implication of international laws and its necessity.

The decision of the Appellate Division on evidences and arguments presented by the prosecution during the trial will be final, the statement said, adding that a person cannot represent two sides of a particular case. But there is no legal bar in any place of the world that a person (lawyer) cannot move for a similar case, or a particular party or a section of people.

It may be mentioned here that present prosecutor Karim Khan, before joining to the ICT prosecution wing, moved for war criminals former president of Liberia Charles Taylor, Kenyan President William Ruto and Libyan president Gaddafi’s son Saif Gaddafi in International Criminal Court (ICC).

Besides, widely respected advocate Khandkar Mahbub Hossain worked as the chief counsel of the International Crimes Tribunal formed to hold trial of those who were made accused in 1973 collaboration act of Bangladesh. 

The prosecution office also said that the Chief Prosecutor office of the ICT and its investigation agency have been working relentless for ensuring justice. In this context, misinterpretation of law, intentional or false statements in mass media and social media networks will hamper the move to ensure justice. In this regard, the prosecution expects responsible role and cooperation from all concerned.