A case has been filed with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) accusing two individuals, including Meghna Group Chairman Mostafa Kamal, of allegedly encouraging and supporting the 2013 attacks on Hefazat-e-Islam members in Dhaka’s Motijheel area.

The second accused is Tanvir Mustafa, who serves as the Managing Director of the private television network, 71 TV.

The complaint was submitted on Tuesday by Mushfiqur Rahman, a leader of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. It was filed under sections 3(2), 4(1), and 4(2) of the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973.

According to the complaint, both individuals were involved in acts of genocide and serious human rights violations.

The incident in question is linked to the Shapla Square protest, also known as the Siege of Dhaka, which took place on May 5 and 6, 2013. The protest, organised by the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, occurred in Motijheel, the capital's main commercial area.

Hefazat blamed the Awami League-led government at the time for the deaths of more than 1,000 of its activists during the operation. However, the group later released a list identifying 79 individuals as victims.

To remove the protesters from Shapla Square, the government deployed a joint force comprising members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

In the aftermath of the crackdown, demonstrations spread to other parts of the country, where 27 people were reported dead.

BDST: 1753 HRS, April 15, 2025
MSK