Killings during recent student protests to be tried at International Criminal Court: Legal Counsel

The interim government has decided to hold trials for the crimes that took place during the recent student protests at the International Criminal Court, Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to the interim government, said today (August 14).

“Efforts are being made to investigate these incidents under the supervision of the United Nations,” he said during a press conference at the Secretariat.

He also said the government would withdraw all cases filed across the country between July 1 and August 5, at the center of the Student Anti-Discrimination Movement.

“Dhaka cases filed during this period will be withdrawn by tomorrow (August 15) and non-Dhaka cases by August 31,” he said.

The legal counsel said that cases of forgery and harassment cannot be withdrawn within three days as police cooperation is required.

“At present, operations have resumed in all police stations. As a result, the cases will now be withdrawn.”

The legal counsel said that some cases have already been filed for prosecution of the mass killing and shooting incidents.

Various student organisations, human rights bodies and groups have demanded whether they should be prosecuted as crimes against humanity, he added.

“We looked into it. Those who are responsible for the massacres in July and August, I have already done some research and found that it would be possible to try them at the International Criminal Court and bring justice to all those involved in the crimes and those who gave the orders and i -they helped at different times.

“We believe it would be possible to investigate the involvement of even the highest level of officials in the past through these processes.”