In a dramatic turn in the July Uprising massacre trial, Bangladesh’s former Inspector General of Police, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, on Thursday admitted responsibility for crimes against humanity and expressed his willingness to become an approver in the case.
Appearing before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1), Mamun made a startling confession. “I am involved in the July massacre. I voluntarily want to be the approver in the case. I was involved in the July-August massacre and take full responsibility,” he told the court.
The tribunal formally framed charges against three high-profile figures, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Mamun, for their alleged role in orchestrating a violent state-led crackdown on protestors last year.
The charges, detailed in five counts, relate to widespread killings, torture, and coordinated attacks on civilians during the July–August unrest. The ICT bench dismissed discharge petitions filed by the defence.
The tribunal is being presided over by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justices Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury on the bench. The prosecution has been asked to present its opening statements on August 3 and 4.
Mamun, who was present during Thursday’s proceedings, told the bench, “I plead guilty. I will make a statement in favour of the prosecution at a later stage.” His admission was officially recorded by the court, which stated it would decide at a later stage whether to formally recognise him as an approver.
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Mamun’s admission is being seen as a possible turning point in the high-profile case. Legal analysts believe his testimony could play a decisive role in establishing command responsibility and state complicity in the brutal crackdown that left scores dead and hundreds injured.
As the then police chief, his willingness to testify for the prosecution could substantially bolster the case against the former prime minister and home minister, both of whom have denied any wrongdoing.
However, the Awami League has contested Mamun’s confession, alleging that it was extracted under coercion. Speaking from an undisclosed location, a senior Awami League leader currently in hiding, claimed, “He was given two options: face death or turn approver against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This was not a voluntary decision.”
The party further accused the interim regime of orchestrating a systematic purge of political opponents inside prisons. “Since the takeover, 27 of our party leaders and workers have been murdered inside Bangladesh’s jails. Al-Mamun would have faced the same fate had he not accepted the regime’s offer,” the leader alleged.
With charges now formally framed, the ICT-1 trial is set to begin next month, marking the commencement of what could be a landmark legal proceeding in Bangladesh’s political and judicial history.
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