Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said on Wednesday that the arrest warrants issued against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 44 others on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity during July-August mass uprising have been sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
In response to a journalist's question, he said, "We only submitted an application to the International Crimes Tribunal for the issuance of arrest warrants, and implementing it is entirely the police's responsibility."
Tajul confirmed that the Tribunal has issued these arrest warrants for separate charges and that applications may also be submitted to proceed with the trials of those accused of genocide in other cases. Judicial proceedings in the tribunal's main building are expected to begin by November 3, following renovation work.
On October 17, separate arrest warrants were issued against Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 44 others in a case related to the genocide and crimes against humanity that occurred in July and August.
Other accused include Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Mohammad A Arafat, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Anisul Huq, Dipu Moni, AKM Mozammel Haque, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Sheikh Selim, Barrister Fazle Noor Tapash, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, former IGP Abdullah Mamun, former DB chief Harun-or-Rashid, Biplob Kumar Sarkar, Proloy Kumar Zoardar, former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former RAB DG Harun Or Rashid, former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, former adviser to Sheikh Hasina Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, former police officer Monirul Islam.
A bench of three judges led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar issued the order, with Justices Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other members.
Previously, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam applied for the issuance of arrest warrants against the 46 individuals on separate charges. The court has directed the relevant parties to submit a progress report on this matter by November 18.