Addressing the complexities of the cases before the International Crimes Tribunal, Special Adviser to the Chief Prosecutor Toby Cadman on Monday warned the intricacies involved leave no scope for expediting justice.
"These cases are intricate and require time," Cadman said, during a press briefing at the ICT premises, after participating in the legal proceedings of the tribunal for the first time today. "There is no room for rushing to ensure due process is followed.”
While expressing confidence in Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam's leadership and commitment to ensuring justice, he also mentioned plans to engage with legal professionals and the government to bring about further changes to the tribunal's legal framework. These changes, he said, would be necessary to enhance the tribunal's impartiality and align its proceedings with both domestic and international standards.
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Cadman, a British lawyer and co-founder of London-based law firm the Guernica37 Group, was appointed Special Adviser to the Chief Prosecutor of the ICT on November 20.
Previously, he had sought to represent some of the leaders of the Jamaat e Islami who were tried in the same tribunal under the Awami League, but was prevented from doing so by the AL government. He, however, dismissed concerns that events of the past could influence his professional conduct in the cases going forward.
Cadman also expressed his hope that India would extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh in the interest of justice and a fair trial.
“The Foreign Ministry has rightly urged India to extradite her. It is now up to India to decide whether they will stand for justice or shield her from trial. I hope they will support justice in the future,” Cadman said.
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Cadman emphasised that while the Bangladesh government cannot compel India to act on the extradition request, there is hope that she will be brought back, provided the requisite security and given every opportunity to defend herself under the law.
The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, under which the ICT operates, was amended by an ordinance in November to allow for the prosecution of members of the army, navy, air force, police, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh and all intelligence agencies, among other changes.
Arrest warrants issued
In other developments, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against eight individuals, including six police officers and two Awami League leaders, in connection with cases centring the July-August massacre.
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Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam said that the warrants were issued based on evidence of direct involvement in sensational murders in Dhaka. “The investigation agency sought the warrants only after confirming their involvement,” Tajul said.
To prevent the accused from fleeing, their identities have not been disclosed. Separate petitions were filed for the arrest warrants against the eight individuals, Tajul added.