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Published : 07 Oct 2025, 06:05 PM
The prosecution has stopped defence lawyers from questioning an investigator about police killings during the trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who are facing charges of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors argued that the issue was outside the scope of the case, and the International Crimes Tribunal-1 agreed, citing limits on cross-examination under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.
The exchange took place on Tuesday during the questioning of investigating officer Md Alamgir.
State-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain, representing Hasina and Kamal, faced objections when he raised the issue of police killings in several districts.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, sided with the prosecution after reviewing the tribunal law.
During the session, the defence sought to ask whether the investigator was aware of police officers being killed in Sirajganj, Jatrabari, Ashulia and Rampura, claiming the incidents were linked to the July Uprising. Prosecutors objected, arguing it was irrelevant to the case.
Justice Mozumder initially noted that “there is no limit to cross-examination”, but the prosecution cited legal provisions restricting witness questioning. The tribunal then upheld the objection.
Earlier, Alamgir said he had seen media reports about children killed during the July Uprising, including reports by bdnews24.com and Prothom Alo. He admitted visiting the home of only one of the reported victims but denied conducting an incomplete investigation.
The investigator rejected defence claims that several documentaries, including "Al Jazeera’s 36 Days in July: Sheikh Hasina's secret orders revealed" and a short film by the July Revolutionary Alliance, were AI-generated or fabricated.
He also denied allegations that a BBC Bangla investigation on the Uprising had been influenced by the current government.
Alamgir said evidence related to alleged conversations involving Hasina, former Dhaka University vice-chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal, and politician Hasanul Haq Inu had only been examined by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The cross-examination, now in its second day, is set to continue on Wednesday.
