STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over the investigation agency’s failure to arrest all the accused in a case linked to last year’s July uprising in Dhaka’s Rampura.

During the charge framing hearing, with only one of the five accused in the dock, the tribunal enquired whether the others were in the country or abroad. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said they were not aware of their whereabouts.

Tribunal member Justice Shofiul Alam Mahmood then said, “There are allegations that even after being informed of the locations of accused, they are not being arrested. You have been given the power to arrest. Even after that, only a small number have been held.”

In response, Tajul suggested such remarks might be inappropriate here (in the open court), but Justice Shofiul pressed, “Why should we not say? You have been given the power to arrest.”

Tajul explained, “Immediately after the uprising, many accused fled. Although we have the authority to arrest, we don’t have the means to do that.”

The chief prosecutor said one of the accused fled after getting information that investigators would arrest him in a raid. In reply, the tribunal member said, “Yes, you On

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