Staff Correspondent

The renovation of the building of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) formed for holding trials of the charges of genocide and crimes against humanity during the July-August student-people mass uprising is almost complete.

"The renovation work is almost complete. The tribunal building is being prepared in such a way that it can hold trials of international standard. The building was dilapidated before the renovation works," Chief Prosecutor of the ICT Mohammad Tajul Islam told BSS today.

The tribunal building would be an eye-catching infrastructure upon completion of the repair work, he added.

During a visit, this correspondent found that the renovation works are going on in full swing as the workers were seen busy with repairing the historic white tribunal building (old High Court Bhaban).

The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan have already witnessed the renovation works twice.

Trials at the ICT are now being held at a temporary court adjoining the tribunal building following its overhaul works.

The ICT was reconstituted with High Court Judge Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder as the new chairman on October 14 last.

The other members of the tribunal are - Justice Md. Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired District and Sessions Judge Md. Mohitul Haq Anam Chowdhury.

The government earlier formed the ICT prosecution team with appointment of the chief prosecutor and prosecutors and the investigation agency.

The ICT formally started the trial proceeding issuing arrest warrants against 46 individuals, including ousted Sheikh Hasina, on October 17 last.

Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 last in face of a mass uprising ending her party's sixteen-year rule.

The Awami League government, its loyal administration and a part of the law enforcement agencies committed the genocide and crimes against humanity, said the prosecution team members.

The ICT asked to produce 10 former ministers of the AL government, two former advisers, one retired justice and a former secretary before it on November 18 next after showing them arrested in the cases filing over genocide and crimes against humanity.

Apart from these, the ICT issued arrest warrants against 17 police officers and fixed November 20 to produce them before the tribunal. Two former police officers who were produced before the tribunal after their arrest were sent to the jail.