Chief Prosecutor of International Crimes Tribubal Tajul Islam said the investigation of several accused including autocratic Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity is almost over.
Tajul Islam has also informed the International Crimes Tribunal that a new report given by the United Nations will be submitted along with it.
He said this during the hearing on Tuesday, when 16 accused, including 12 former ministers of the Awami League government, were produced before the court.
Those who were produced Tuesday are: former ministers Anisul Haque, Amir Hossain Amu, Shajahan Khan, Kamrul Islam, Faruk Khan, Abdur Razzak, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haque Inu, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Golam Dastagir Gazi, Dr. Dipu Moni and State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, along with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's advisors Salman F Rahman and Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury. Former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and former home secretary Jahangir Alam have also been brought before the tribunal.
The court extended the time by two months by ordering not to submit any incomplete and defective investigation report and set the date for submitting the investigation report on April 20.
Meanwhile, during the hearing, the accused's lawyer ZI Khan Panna opposed the judges' address as "My Lord" and asked for permission to use an alternative word. The court accepted it.
Tribunal Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumder said that he had discouraged the use of this word from the beginning. He also commented that it was a colonial word.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
