Dhaka, Oct 13 (V7N): The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Advocate Tajul Islam, announced yesterday that they will seek assistance from Interpol to return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives for trial related to genocide committed during the July revolution.

After a meeting at the tribunal's office in Dhanmondi, he stated, "Once judges are appointed, we will request arrest warrants and travel bans against those accused of the July genocide within this week. Interpol's assistance will be sought to bring back the fugitives, including Sheikh Hasina."

Currently, more than 60 charges have been filed against Sheikh Hasina, members of the Awami League, leaders of its 14-party alliance, and former high-ranking officials of law enforcement agencies. These charges include enforced disappearances, murder, and genocide.

Earlier, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul mentioned that the ICT would be reconstituted within a week, allowing judicial proceedings to commence fully within a month. "We hope that full-scale judicial proceedings at the ICT will begin within a month, while the tribunal will be reconstituted within a week," he said.

He noted significant progress in appointing judges to the ICT, especially with the recent appointment of 23 additional judges to the High Court. "Previously, there were concerns about a shortage of judges for the tribunal, but I believe that issue has been largely resolved," the law adviser added.

Allegations of genocide arose during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement in July and August, leading to the ousting of Hasina's Awami League government. The interim government, headed by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, decided to pursue these allegations at the International Crimes Tribunal.

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