Zia assassination trial to proceed under military law, ICT probes Mozzaffar for crimes against humanity

Former army major (retd) Mozzaffar Hossain will be tried under military law in the assassination case of former President Ziaur Rahman, while the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is pursuing a separate investigation into his alleged role in crimes against humanity, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said on Thursday.

"The trial over the assassination of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman will proceed under the Army Act. We have no involvement in that case," Aminul told reporters at a press briefing.

He said the ICT's investigation concerns Mozzaffar's alleged links to crimes against humanity during the Awami League's 16 years in power.

Aminul alleged that although Mozzaffar had long been a fugitive in the Zia assassination case, he travelled freely between countries and moved openly inside Bangladesh while maintaining contacts with senior officials of the then Awami League government.

"He communicated with various government officials and lived in elite neighbourhoods. We believe he enjoyed patronage from the then government," the chief prosecutor said, adding that investigators would also examine his alleged ties with "criminals such as Masud Uddin Chowdhury."

Earlier on Thursday, International Crimes Tribunal-2 showed Mozzaffar arrested in a case over alleged crimes against humanity committed in Feni during the July 2024 mass uprising and allowed investigators to interrogate him for two days.

The order was passed by a three-member bench led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury following a prosecution petition.

The prosecution had sought a production warrant for Mozzaffar on July 21. He was produced before the tribunal on Thursday morning and will remain in military custody while the ICT continues its investigation, Aminul said.