Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam has alleged that there was an attempt to assassinate investigators probing the secret detention centres built during the previous Awami League government.
The investigation agency has uncovered three of the most complex secret detention centres, known as Aynaghar. Among them, the TFI cell -- a semi-underground facility -- was found in a concealed state, he said while speaking at a press conference at the ICT building in the capital on Sunday.
"These spaces had been sealed off by erecting walls, which had to be demolished during the investigation," Tajul said, adding that the entire area had been filled with garbage, which investigators had to clear in order to expose the crime scenes.
"When we unknowingly entered one of the centres, we found bombs had been planted there -- some fitted with timers. It appears there was an apparent attempt to assassinate those who were conducting the investigation," he said, adding that he was personally present at the time.
The ICT chief prosecutor said as the prosecution has yet to bring these findings to light, many may assume that no real investigation has taken place. However, once formal charges are submitted, people will begin to understand the extent of what has been uncovered.

He also said the government is considering increasing the number of tribunals to expatiate the trial of genocide and indiscriminate killings that took place during the 2024 mass uprising.

“The ICT-2 is likely to begin its journey soon. We believe that one tribunal is not enough to deal with crimes against humanity committed during the Awami League regime, especially during the student-led mass movement in 2024. We hope that at least the second tribunal will start its journey very soon. However, the attempts to sabotage the trial by the accused will not succeed," said Tajul.

He said formal charges in two cases filed with the ICT over the genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising will be submitted this month.

"We have so far received the drafts of the probe reports of the three cases. One of the cases is against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over her command responsibility in all the crimes, and the other two were filed over genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Ashulia of Savar and Chankharpool in Old Dhaka," he said.
ENDS/Jasim