Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Advocate Tajul Islam has said the appointment of judges for the tribunal is now a matter of time.
He said this while speaking to journalists at his office on Sunday.
The government has already appointed the prosecution team and investigation agency to initiate trials against those involved in the mass killings of students and innocent individuals during the 36-day anti-discrimination movement in July and August, he said.
According to Tajul, the Law Ministry, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has finalized the names of the judges for the tribunal after completing the necessary formalities, and their announcement is expected soon.
On September 7, the government appointed Advocate Tajul Islam as chief prosecutor along with four additional prosecutors for the tribunal. Furthermore, a 10-member investigation agency, led by former additional DIG of Police Md Majaharul Haque, was established on September 18.
The tribunal has received multiple complaints regarding the mass killings and injuries sustained by hundreds of students and innocent people during the anti-discrimination movement, implicating ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, various government officials, and Awami League leaders.
The prosecution team and the investigation agency have begun their work on these issues, which will accelerate further following the appointment of the tribunal judges. They have also initiated discussions with the coordinators of the anti-discrimination movement.
The ICT was established by Sheikh Hasina's government on March 25, 2010, to prosecute individuals involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971. Over its 14-year tenure, the tribunal delivered judgments in 55 cases.
During the 36-day anti-discrimination movement, approximately 1,500 students and civilians were allegedly killed by law enforcement agencies and Awami League activists, with over 500 individuals left crippled and more than 23,000 injured.