Bangladesh News

The law ministry yesterday asked the finance ministry to allocate Tk 10 crore in the next budget for holding trials of those who committed crimes during the Liberation War.

The process of the trials would begin after the fund is allocated, said Law Minister Shafique Ahmed.

“The government is about to finalise the process of appointing investigators, prosecutors and formation of a tribunal. Their appointments will be complete by the end of June,” he said, adding that the trials will be held maintaining international standards.

On May 24, Finance and Planning Minister AMA Muhit announced that the government would have a block allocation in the next budget for holding the war criminals’ trials.

Shafique Ahmed said the government is thinking about setting up the tribunal in government buildings on Abdul Gani Road in the city but the matter has not been finalised yet.

He said this while speaking at the weekly press briefing at the conference room of the law ministry yesterday afternoon. State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam was also present.

The law minister said a fund has to be allocated for setting up courtrooms, office rooms for the judges of the tribunal, investigators, prosecutors and the office staff and other facilities and logistic support.

“The government is very sincere in holding the trials of the war criminals and there is no confusion about it as the parliament has made the decision,” he said.

Responding to a question, Shafique said the government will decide under which law the Pilkhana carnage case will be tried after receiving the investigation report from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Asked whether the government is avoiding the conventional justice systems as the enquiry committee, headed by Anisuzzaman Khan, recommended holding the trial of the Pilkhana carnage case under the Army Act, he said the CID would give the detailed report against all the individuals who were involved in the incident.

The prosecution will analyse the CID’s investigation report and then it will be decided under which law the case will be tried, he said.