The Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has strongly condemned a Prothom Alo report titled “Question on Tajul Islam’s involvement in ATM Azharul’s case,” calling it an evil attempt to undermine the ongoing July genocide trial. 

In a press release issued on Friday, the office termed the report, published on Thursday, as biased and driven by ill intentions.

The report tarnished the reputation of the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the ICT, it said.

Although Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam served as a lawyer for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam in 2010 and thereafter, he is not participating in the hearing in his case after assuming the ICT role.

Since he was previously a lawyer for the accused, he informed the full bench of the Supreme Court that he would not be able to participate in the case of ATM Azharul Islam.

The chief prosecutor has never participated in the hearing of this case and thus there was no ‘conflict of interest’. Therefore, he has not violated the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.

“The report is part of a malicious attempt to question the ongoing trial proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal,” reads the press release.

“A vested interest on behalf of the Awami League and the fallen dictator is engaged in a concerted effort to question the trial proceedings of the International Crimes Tribunal,” it said.

The Chief Prosecutor’s Office demanded immediate withdrawal of the report and apology from the reporter concerned.

BDST: 1142 HRS, MAR 01, 2025