The Office of the Chief Prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has received complaints against the country’s former President Mohammed Shahabuddin just two days after he resigned from office. The Bangladesh Azadi Party and the Rashtra Sanglap Forum submitted separate complaints, with the Azadi Party also filing a complaint against another former President, M Abdul Hamid. Hasinur Rahman, Convener of the Azadi Party, highlighted that the silence of the two former presidents during the alleged crimes related to the 2024 protests was seen as implicit approval of those acts.
The Rashtra Sanglap Forum, in its complaint, labeled Shahabuddin as a “close associate” of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and called for an investigation into his alleged involvement in the violence associated with the 2024 protests. ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam confirmed the receipt of the complaints, stating that they are to be forwarded to the Investigation Agency for further action. This development occurs amidst a growing crackdown by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government on leaders linked to the Awami League.
Shahabuddin, who resigned from office recently citing health reasons, held the presidency since April 2023 and was the sole top constitutional office holder post the July 2024 demonstrations. Despite his tenure being scheduled until April 2028, he chose to resign nearly two years before its completion. Reports indicated that Shahabuddin’s resignation followed a telephonic conversation with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his medical treatment in London earlier this year, leading to intelligence agencies advising his resignation.
A senior BNP leader downplayed the significance of the reported phone call as the sole reason behind Shahabuddin’s resignation, terming the situation as more intricate. The debate over Shahabuddin’s presidency intensified following the ousting of the Hasina-led Awami League government during the July 2024 protests.
