United News of Bangladesh

The International Crimes Tribunal will conduct an internal investigation over the allegations of bribery of Tk one crore involving a prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal, said Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal Aminul Islam on Tuesday. The Chief Prosecutor said this at a press conference after an audio recording surfaced on social media containing a conversation between prosecutor Saimum Reza Talukder and a lawyer of former Chattogram-6 lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, who is an accused in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July movement. Action taken over Barishal courtroom chaos: SC The internal committee would investigate all complaints received since the formation of the tribunal, he said. Chief Prosecutor Aminul convened a closed-door meeting with the entire prosecution team on Tuesday morning which lasted over an hour.  “During my tenure, if any prosecutor or official is found involved in misconduct or corruption, strict action will be taken. There will be zero tolerance on such issues,” he said at the press conference. “Those working at the International Crimes Tribunal must rise above greed and personal gain. If one cannot do so, there is no need to remain here. Anyone can leave,” he added. “The entire judicial process of the tribunal becomes 100 percent questionable if such an allegation arises,” Aminul Islam said in response to a query from journalists. On the leaked audio, Aminul Islam said, “Even if no formal complaint reaches me, I will personally conduct an internal inquiry through the Chief Prosecutor’s office. Besides, I will form a committee to investigate all matters since the tribunal’s formation on August 5.” Any findings of wrongdoing would be reported to the authorities, he added. He also issued a warning to current and future prosecutors saying “If I receive even a small complaint against any prosecutor, consider that person gone from my office the very next day.” If I receive even a thread of an allegation against any prosecutor, you can assume that the next day he will no longer be here,” he said. According to the allegations, Saimum Reza Talukder had demanded Tk 1 crore from the family of former Awami League MP ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury in exchange for helping secure his bail in a crimes against humanity case related to incidents in Chattogram during the July uprising. Multiple audio recordings of WhatsApp conversations revealed the alleged demand for money. After the allegation surfaced, then chief prosecutor Tajul Islam removed Saimum from the case but did not take further action or relieve him of his other responsibilities at the tribunal. Later, the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry accepted Saimum’s resignation and relieved him of his duties as a prosecutor, according to a notification issued on Monday. Saimum had been appointed as a prosecutor of the tribunal on October 7, 2024.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday dismissed speculations that its president Aminul Islam has left the country permanently following the recent general election. Board officials clarified Aminul Islam is currently in Australia on a personal visit to meet his family and is scheduled to return. Rumours of Aminul’s departure gained traction after several media outlets suggested he might not return, given that the interim government under which he took office is set to hand over power within a day. BCB president Aminul skips India-Pakistan clash in Colombo Adding to the speculation is the fact that Aminul was a resident of Australia before assuming the BCB presidency. Amzad Hussain, BCB Director and Chairman of the Media Committee, told UNB, “He went to meet his family. From there, he will join the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars final match. Then he will come back.”   The controversy surrounding Aminul’s travel comes at a turbulent time for Bangladesh cricket. The national team recently opted out of the ongoing T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in India. The BCB had requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, a plea that was ultimately rejected. BCB files GD against ‘fabricated’ fixing rumors involving president While some cricket analysts have labeled the withdrawal a diplomatic failure on Islam’s part, the BCB and the outgoing interim government have stood firm on their decision. They maintain that the safety of Bangladeshi players, fans and journalists in India could not be guaranteed and have expressed no regret over the move.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam has decided not to attend today’s high-voltage T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Colombo, reportedly because the Bangladesh national team is not participating in the tournament. According to BCB sources, Aminul returned to Dhaka yesterday morning following an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Kuwait and has decided to remain in the country. Despite attempts to reach him, he did not respond to queries regarding his travel plans. ‘World Cup boycott was govt’s  decision, I remain firm on this’: Asif Nazrul The decision comes despite Aminul’s pivotal role in the recent diplomatic efforts to save the fixture. He was a key figure in the trilateral meeting in Lahore involving the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), where he urged Pakistan to drop their boycott threat—a threat made in solidarity with Bangladesh’s exclusion from the World Cup. The ICC had invited the board presidents of the five Asian Test-playing nations to watch the match together in Sri Lanka, aiming to use the occasion to bridge diplomatic gaps. While PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC Chairman Jay Shah will be in attendance alongside the Sri Lankan board chief, Aminul’s seat will remain empty.