By Didarul Alam

DHAKA, May 5, 2025 (BSS) – Today is the 12th anniversary of the gruesome attack on the Hefazat-e-Islam at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. Two separate complaints were lodged with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in this connection demanding trial of the state-machinery sponsored attack on Hefazat on May 5 in 2013. 

“Two complaints were lodged with the ICT in connection with the attack on Hefazat-e-Islam. The ICT investigation agency has primarily found the truth of the complaints,” ICT Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told BSS today.

He said that they filed petition with the ICT to issue arrest warrant against the accused whose offences are consignable and production warrant against those who have already been arrested in other cases. 

The prosecutor hoped that the trial of the state sponsored attacks must be held to ensure the justice. 

The Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has published a preliminary list of 93 individuals killed during the law enforcement operation at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka's Motijheel on May 5, 2013.

“This list is not final. The number may increase or decrease. We are working on preparing the final list, which we hope to publish within this month,” said Maulana Mohiuddin Rabbani, central nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam, during a press briefing on Sunday.

While a human rights organization Odhikar said earlier that 61 individuals were killed in the attack on Hefazat by the law enforcement agency. 

On November 26 last, a complaint was filed with the ICT by Hefazat-e-Islam's Organizing Secretary Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi mentioning names of 50 accused including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former minister and state minister of home Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and Shamsul Haque Tuku. 

Earlier Mufti Harun Ijhar filed another complaint with the ICT in this connection mentioning names of 14 people.