Amu, Qamrul shown arrested in genocide case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday sent Awami League-led 14-party alliance coordinator and former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu and former food minister Md Qamrul Islam to jail after showing them as arrested in a case filed over allegations of genocide during the July-August uprising.

The tribunal also scheduled December 18 for further hearings on the matter.

The three-member tribunal panel, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza, issued the order. The other members of the panel are Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Earlier, following a prosecution petition, the tribunal directed on Monday (December 2) that Amu and Kamrul be presented before the tribunal on December 4 regarding the allegations. This directive was issued by the same panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza.

In compliance with the order, the two were brought before the tribunal at around 10:45 am on Wednesday. On the same day, the prosecution filed a petition to formally show them as arrested. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, assisted by ABM Sultan Mahmud, represented the state during the hearing.

On Monday, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told reporters that the tribunal had issued arrest warrants for the two accused on October 17 in a case related to genocide during the July-August period. The case involves 45 accused individuals, including former ministers Amir Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam.

He added, "The tribunal was satisfied with the evidence presented against them, and the order was issued to produce them before the court on December 4."