Is the Awami League Condemning the 'Coercion' of Former IGP to Testify?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Awami League's condemnation of coercion against former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun.
- Allegations of inhumane treatment in custody.
- Political motivations behind the prosecution of Sheikh Hasina.
- Call for international attention to the situation.
- Concerns over judicial integrity in Bangladesh.
Dhaka, July 11 (NationPress) The Awami League Party of Bangladesh has voiced its profound concern regarding the inhumane torture and coercion inflicted upon former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdullah Al Mamun to become a state witness in a false and farcical case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others at the so-called International Crimes Tribunal of the nation.
Local news outlets reported on Thursday that the ICT has laid charges against three individuals, including Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, in connection with the alleged 'crimes against humanity' during the uprising in July of last year. The other accused, former IGP Al Mamun, has reportedly agreed to become a state witness in this case.
“This is part of a malicious attempt to wrongfully convict the daughter of Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and others based on false and baseless allegations. The Awami League strongly condemns and expresses its utter disgust at this heinous and despicable incident,” the party stated on Thursday.
According to the Awami League, by turning former IGP Al Mamun into a state witness, the illegal ICT Tribunal aims to falsely accuse former Prime Minister Hasina and ex-Home Minister Kamal.
“It is evident that when the prosecution failed to present any factual evidence after extensive investigation, they resorted to coercing Abdullah Al Mamun as a state witness. This indicates that the prosecution lacks concrete evidence and is relying on forced testimonies. In politically motivated cases, such tactics are commonly used to transform co-accused into state witnesses to target political rivals for conviction. Such methods are employed when credible evidence is absent to substantiate the charges,” the statement continued.
The Awami League maintains that Hasina has committed no crime, asserting that the prosecution's failure to provide any evidence against her is the reason for their current pressure and coercion.
“The Awami League believes that this entire farcical trial is an act of vengeance from the illegal, oppressive, murderous, fascist regime of Yunus. It is being pursued in retaliation for the successful prosecution of 1971 war criminals during Sheikh Hasina’s administration. This interim regime is orchestrating a fabricated trial to enact political revenge against the daughter of Bangabandhu,” the party asserted.
Expressing concern, the Awami League noted that not only was former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun subjected to inhuman torture while in custody, but his family has also faced unthinkable abuse and oppression. They further stated that his family has been threatened, with implications that if he refuses to testify as a state witness, he could be executed, and his family members could be arrested and imprisoned.
“We have been informed that within the prison, representatives of the interim regime led by fascist Yunus have told him that if he agrees to testify as instructed, he will be released. The Awami League contends that such treatment of a detainee is both inhumane and illegal,” the party declared.
“According to the prevailing laws of the land, such actions are criminal. Forcing someone to act as a state witness and utilizing coerced testimony to promote a specific narrative is a blatant violation of the rule of law,” it added.
The Awami League has called upon the citizens of Bangladesh and the international community to speak out against this injustice, oppression, and humanitarian disaster unfolding in the nation.