Shapla Chattar killings were 'genocide': ICT chief prosecutor
The prosecution files formal charges against Sheikh Hasina and 40 others.
Highlights:
- Hasina, 40 others formally charged over 2013 crackdown
- Charges relate to 52 deaths in Shapla Chattar and Siddhirganj incidents
- Prosecution says 58 of 61 alleged victims have been identified
- Case alleges crimes against humanity in the 2013 Hefazat crackdown
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has described the killings during Hefazat-e-Islam's rally at Dhaka's Shapla Chattar in 2013 as a "genocide", alleging that the then government orchestrated a systematic campaign to eliminate the Islamist group.
Speaking to reporters after ICT-2 accepted formal charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others today (27 July), Aminul Islam said the prosecution had brought charges against 41 accused over crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown.
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He alleged that members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Awami League, Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League jointly carried out the operation with the intention of destroying Hefazat-e-Islam.
"The massacre at Shapla Chattar was genocide. Children and religious scholars were indiscriminately shot and killed. Such brutality is unprecedented in the country's history," the chief prosecutor said.
He also claimed that despite repeated attempts over the years, no meaningful investigation into the incident had been conducted and that the victims had been denied justice.
According to the prosecution, investigators compiled a list of 61 victims, of whom 58 have been identified.
The formal charges relate to two separate incidents – the deaths of 32 people during the late-night operation at Shapla Chattar on 5 May 2013 and the killing of 20 people in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, on 6 May 2013.
Aminul Islam said the prosecution found direct involvement of all 41 accused in the alleged crimes and argued that both incidents constituted acts of genocide.
Hefazat-e-Islam held the rally on 5 May 2013, demanding punishment for "atheist bloggers" in the wake of the Shahbagh movement. Violent clashes erupted across Motijheel before a joint security operation cleared the area later that night.
The tribunal began examining the case after a complaint was filed on 20 August 2024, following the fall of the Awami League government.
Several people have already been arrested in connection with the case, including former state minister for home affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, former inspector general of police AKM Shahidul Haque, former additional director general of RAB Ziaul Ahsan, former deputy inspectors general Mollah Nazrul Islam and Abdul Jalil Mondal, and Shahriar Kabir, president of the advisory council of Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee.
Former minister Dipu Moni and journalists Mozammel Haque Babu and Farzana Rupa were also shown arrested in the case on 14 May this year.
