The newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Md. Aminul Islam, has assured that internal disputes within the tribunal will not disrupt its judicial proceedings. Speaking to reporters at the tribunal’s office on Thursday morning, he emphasised that there is no risk of the tribunal’s work being stalled.
This statement comes in the wake of recent allegations raised by Prosecutor B. M. Sultan Mahmud against the outgoing Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim, accusing them of corruption and procedural irregularities in the conduct of ongoing cases. The accusations have sparked public and media attention, raising questions about the impact of internal disagreements on the tribunal’s efficiency.
In addition, earlier this year, in January, Sultan Mahmud himself faced scrutiny. Allegations included breaches of trust, violation of professional codes of conduct, and an incident involving the assault of a security officer. These concerns reportedly led to a recommendation for his removal, following a request from the outgoing Chief Prosecutor to the tribunal’s legal advisory body.
| Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| Professional Misconduct | Breach of trust, violation of rules and regulations |
| Security Incident | Physical altercation with a security officer |
| Administrative Concerns | Recommendations for removal at the request of senior prosecutor |
Responding to questions from the press, Md. Aminul Islam drew an analogy to a family, stating, “Even in a family, conflicts occur. That does not mean the family stops functioning. The members of this tribunal are like a family; our work will continue uninterrupted.”
He further assured that no internal disagreement, criticism, or personal dispute would influence judicial proceedings. “I have never compromised on principles in my career, and I will not do so here. Innocent individuals will not face harassment under my tenure, and no guilty party will evade justice,” he added.
The Chief Prosecutor’s remarks aim to reinforce public confidence in the tribunal’s commitment to impartiality, transparency, and the rule of law. The ICT has consistently handled high-profile cases related to war crimes, and the leadership insists that its ongoing and upcoming trials will proceed according to legal standards without interruption.
Md. Aminul Islam’s statement also signals the tribunal’s determination to maintain judicial integrity despite internal controversies, assuring both national and international observers that the pursuit of justice remains the tribunal’s paramount objective.