Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Tajul Islam on Sunday alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the authorities at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) not to provide treatment or release victims of the July uprising during her visit to the hospital.

Speaking at a press briefing, Tajul Islam said that the prosecution has gathered evidence confirming Hasina’s directive to the hospital authorities.

“Hasina gave the order to the authorities concerned at NITOR, and the prosecution has received evidence of it,” he said.

Tajul Islam further claimed that the families of the deceased faced difficulties in retrieving the bodies of their loved ones following the mass uprising.

“When we visited Pangu Hospital in the capital, the injured patients and their relatives informed us that Sheikh Hasina had visited the hospital once before fleeing.  During the visit, she said, ‘No treatment, no release.’ That is, the doctors and hospital authorities were instructed not to provide any treatment to the injured and not to allow anyone to leave the facility,” he stated.

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“Along with the patients, the doctors at the hospital also confirmed these instructions. We have evidence in our hands and have informed the court today,” Islam added.

The ICT has directed that a report be submitted by 22 April regarding three policemen, including former Officer-in-Charge of Shahbagh Police Station Arshad Hossain and constables Sujon Mia and Imaz Hossain. They are accused of involvement in mass killings and human rights violations during the July-August uprising.

A three-member ICT bench, led by its chairman Justice Golam Martuza, passed the order on Sunday.

The tribunal also permitted police to interrogate the three accused officers at the jail gate on 27 February, 2 March, and 3 March, respectively.

On 1 January, the tribunal issued a warrant for the arrest of constable Sujon in connection with his alleged role in the killing of five people in the Chankharpul area during the student movement on 5 August, an incident that went viral.