The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday directed the government to ensure security for a prosecution witness who had recently testified in the case of crimes against humanity committed in the capital鈥檚 Chankharpool area during the 2024 July uprising.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder passed the order responding to a prosecution petition citing threats to the witness.
The tribunal also formed a three-member committee to investigate the situation regarding the witness鈥檚 safety.
The case accuses former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner and seven of his subordinates of the killings of six protesters at the Chankharpool area on August 5, 2024.
The threat to the prosecution witness emerged as the tribunal is scheduled for August 20 to examine the seventh prosecution witness in the case.
According to prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim, the witness came under pressure and intimidation at the workplace following the testimony in the tribunal.
鈥楶eople at the witness鈥檚 office brought out processions and hung banners targeting the witness,鈥� he told reporters.
The prosecution submitted video footage and photographs showing the threats and harassment.
In response, the tribunal held a closed-door hearing in the chamber and spoke with the witness.
The tribunal then ordered the officer-in-charge of the local police station and the head of the witness鈥檚 workplace to take immediate steps to guarantee the witness鈥檚 safety.
The tribunal also directed the authorities to remove all derogatory posters and banners targeting the witness.