Tribunal official accused of soliciting money from police wife, chief prosecutor to recommend action

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An official from the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal has been accused of soliciting money from the wife of a police officer. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam addressed the allegations on Thursday, stating that while he cannot directly intervene in such matters, he can make recommendations for action.

During a press briefing at his office, Islam responded to journalists’ questions regarding the accusations. He emphasized that if any member of the investigation agency is found to be involved in criminal activity, he can recommend measures even if direct intervention is not within his purview. He added that such issues would be brought to the fact-finding committee if necessary.

Masudur Rahman, a journalist with the private television channel 24, presented an audio recording as evidence, alleging that a “coordinator” from the investigation agency called a police officer’s wife demanding money, stating that the matter could not be resolved without it. Rahman questioned who would investigate such alleged wrongdoing within the investigation agency itself, given that prosecutors are being held accountable for their actions.

In response, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam asserted that as the chief prosecutor, he oversees the prosecution team and is also involved with the investigation agency. He assured that if any investigative officer is implicated in criminal acts, he would be able to recommend appropriate action, even if direct intervention is not possible.

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When a journalist offered to reveal the name of the accused official, Islam requested the information be provided privately and kept confidential for the sake of the investigation. He reiterated that such information would be incorporated into the fact-finding process if deemed necessary.

Separately, when asked about the progress of the fact-finding committee, which was expected to submit its report by April, Islam stated that the activities are ongoing. He noted that a key member of the committee is currently on pilgrimage and involved in several prosecution matters, delaying the report’s submission until their return.

This situation arises in the wake of previous allegations of impropriety within the tribunal. A joint investigative report by Prothom Alo and Netra News, published on March 10, revealed that a former prosecutor, Md. Saimum Reza Talukder, had allegedly demanded one crore Taka from the family of former Member of Parliament ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury to facilitate his release on bail in a war crimes case. Additionally, another prosecutor had accused colleague Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim of accepting a heavy bag from the wife of an accused, who was subsequently acquitted after becoming a state witness. These allegations, along with other reported irregularities and corruption involving several prosecutors, led to the formation of the fact-finding committee on March 10 by the Chief Prosecutor’s office.