Verdicts in 3-4 cases of July murders expected within October: Law adviser

Highlights:

• Prosecution team formally filed 16 cases so far with ICT
• Hearing on testimonies expected to begin from April
• Verdicts can be issued within four to six months after start of hearing
• Cases filed during AL regime to be withdrawn soon
• Nazrul accuses Hasina of arrogance and provocation in her last address

There is a possibility of getting verdicts in three to four cases of murders in the July uprising within October this year, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul said today (11 February).

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, top Awami League leaders, and top police and administration officials are accused in these cases, he said at a press briefing at the Secretariat.

Nazrul said the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) fully started its activities four months ago and during this period, more than 300 complaints have been filed with the court.

The prosecution team has formally filed 16 cases after scrutinising them, he added.

"It is expected that four of the 16 cases will be investigated and completed within this month. After that, the trial will officially begin by framing charges," he further said.

"Under the law, defence lawyers are given three weeks to prepare before the trial commences. Once this preparation period ends, the testimony phase will officially begin. It is anticipated that testimony will begin in April after Eid."

Verdicts can be issued within four to six months of the start of the hearing, he said. "So verdicts on three to four cases can be expected within October."

The report of the UN investigation team will be available in the next two or three days, Nazrul said.

Total 16,429 cases to be withdrawn in phases

Asif Nazrul announced that 1,214 cases filed during the Awami League government's tenure will be withdrawn within a week as the interim government deems these cases politically motivated and baseless.

A gazette notification regarding withdrawal of 53 of these cases to be published shortly.

He added that a total of 16,429 such cases will be withdrawn in phases. A comprehensive list has been prepared, and each case is being reviewed to verify whether it was filed for political harassment or through irregularities.

He emphasised that cases involving murder cannot be withdrawn arbitrarily and require thorough scrutiny.

Nazrul also noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law are jointly overseeing the withdrawal process.

In response to journalists, he defined "fabricated cases" as those filed under the Awami League regime to suppress political opposition.

All cyber security cases to be withdrawn by Feb

Asif Nazrul stated that under the previous government, 396 cases were filed for speech offences. The Ministry of Law has already withdrawn 332 cases through public prosecutors, and the withdrawal of 61 more has been finalised.

This process will be completed within the next three to four working days. By the end of February, no speech offense cases will remain in the court, he added.

However, he clarified that three cases cannot be withdrawn as they have been stayed by the High Court's decision.

Amendment to power of attorney regulations

The power of attorney regulations have been amended to ease the process for expatriate Bangladeshis.

Asif Nazrul said, "Under the new regulations, they can now execute power of attorney even without a Bangladeshi passport. If they have a "No Visa Required" sticker, birth certificate, or national ID card, they can do so from abroad."

He explained that this change addresses issues many expatriates faced under the Power of Attorney regulations-2015, which required a passport submission at the embassy. 

The amendment simplifies the process, especially for those whose children do not hold Bangladeshi passports.

Asif Nazrul questions Hasina's lack of guilt

Nazrul has criticised Sheikh Hasina, questioning whether she feels any guilt.

"She mocked the painful memories of the people. She even claimed that Abu Sayeed's death scene was fabricated using AI and Mughdo was shot by students. How can such statements be tolerated?" he said.

Nazrul also accused Hasina of arrogance and provocation in her last address, reports UNB.

He further accused Hasina and her supporters of spreading lies and engaging in conspiracies.

"A section of her forces blindly follow her and continue to make provocative and offensive statements," he added.

Regarding the ongoing security operations, he stated that intelligence reports suggest Awami League activists are involved in further conspiratorial activities, which is why 'Operation Devil Hunt' is being conducted.