AL Condemns ‘Kangaroo Court’ Verdict Against Senior Police Officers

The Bangladesh Awami League on Monday strongly condemned what it described as a “kangaroo court” verdict delivered by an “illegal and unconstitutional” so-called International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which sentenced three senior police officers to death.
In a statement, the party rejected “with disgust” the death sentences handed down against DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Aktarul Islam, calling the verdict a product of political vendetta and judicial farce.
The Awami League alleged that the ruling was dictated by what it termed an unelected, illegitimate and fascist regime led by Muhammad Yunus, and accused the government of weaponising the judiciary to settle political scores.
“This verdict reflects no semblance of justice. It is a naked manifestation of political revenge, retribution and a state-sponsored judicial witch-hunt orchestrated by anti-liberation and anti-national forces,” the statement said.
The party claimed that the so-called tribunal had violated all minimum standards of law, constitutional norms and human rights, and was being used to institutionalise “state terror” through show trials.
Defending the convicted officers, the Awami League said they had merely carried out their professional duties as responsible state officials to uphold law and order and ensure public safety. It termed the imposition of the death penalty for such actions as a “brutal exposure of the fascist character” of the current government.
“The so-called ICT is not a court of law. It has turned into a factory of political extermination and suppression of dissent,” the statement added.
The Awami League further declared that none of the verdicts issued by the “illegal tribunal” would be acceptable to the people or to future generations, and warned that those involved in delivering and implementing such rulings would one day be held accountable.
“Those who illegally seized state power by overthrowing an elected government will be forced to face justice in the future, Inshallah,” the party said, describing the verdict as a dark chapter in the country’s history.