Ex-prosecutor demanding Tk1cr in bribe allegedly leaves country

Md Saimum Reza, former prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) who had demanded Tk1 crore as bribe from the family of an accused in exchange of releasing him on bail in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, has allegedly left the country.

Asked about the matter, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said, “There was no travel ban on Saimum. In that case, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office has nothing to say on where he will or will not go.”

Aminul made the remarks while replying to a question by a journalist at his office on Tuesday.

Saimum resigned from his position on 9 March. Later, an audio recording was leaked, revealing Saimum as demanding Tk1 crore from the lawyer and the family of an accused from Chattogram to release him on bail.

As the news was prominently published in the media the next day, a five-member fact-finding committee was formed to look into the matter. The committee was led by Chief Prosecutor Aminul and had prosecutors Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar, Morzina Rayhan Modina and Mohammad Johirul Amin along with Senior Research Officer Md Sifat Ullah as members.

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Replying to a question, Aminul said, “The activities of the committee are going on. We are waiting for the report. Saimum did not have any travel ban imposed on him. In that case, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office has nothing to say on the matter.”

He added, “Both demanding and offering bribe are crimes. Those who had offered Saimum bribe are equally responsible. The report has been delayed due to various reasons. The fact-finding committee will comne up with the report as soon as possible.”