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Published : 10 Mar 2026, 02:28 AM
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor Saimum Reza Talukder has resigned after allegations surfaced that he demanded a Tk 10 million bribe to secure the acquittal of a former MP.
The former lawmaker is a suspect in the murder case of Chattogram college student Wasim Akram, killed during the July Uprising in 2024.
Saimum, who was appointed during the interim administration, resigned on Monday.
The two separate audio recordings, broadcast on a private TV channel following his resignation, reportedly capture Saimum negotiating the bribe with a lawyer representing the family of former Awami League MP ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury from Chattogram’s Raozan constituency.
The clips reportedly include discussions of installment payments, tribunal prosecution team processes, and political lobbying to influence outcomes.
When contacted, Fazle’s lawyer Rezwana Yusuf declined detailed comment but said: “Given the scale of the event, some truth may exist.”
Saimum, however, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “propaganda” and asserting the audio clips were fabricated.
On Tuesday night, he wrote on Facebook: “The claim that I demanded Tk 10 million and a Tk 1 million advance for acquitting a defendant is baseless and false.
“At no point did I request such sums from anyone. Prosecution teams operate under the chief prosecutor, following independent judicial procedures -- no individual prosecutor can grant special favours.”
Saimum cited a return to university teaching and research, and spending more time with family, as reasons for his resignation.
ICT cyber expert Tanvir Hassan Zoha said the recordings’ authenticity remains unverified.
Preliminary voice and breathing analyses suggest they are unlikely to be AI-generated, but full digital forensic checks, including voice samples, IPDR, and CDR analysis, are required to confirm participants and intent.
Attempts to reach him by phone for comment went unanswered.
