Former OC Breaks Down in Tribunal, Pleads: "I Was on the Students' Side, Save Me"

During a hearing at the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday, former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gulshan Police Station, Mazharul Islam, broke down in tears, pleading for his innocence. Addressing the judges, Mazharul said he should not be standing in the dock and requested justice, claiming, “I was on the students’ side. Please save me.”

The session began with Chief Prosecutor Md. Tazul Islam presenting allegations against Mazharul Islam and others, including details of atrocities committed during the Savar genocide. The prosecutor accused former Dhaka Superintendent of Police Md. Abdullah Al Kafi, former Additional SP (Savar Circle) Md. Shahidur Islam, and ex-OC Mazharul Islam of involvement in mass killings, injuries, and the burning of bodies in Ashulia.

When Mazharul Islam’s name was mentioned, he stood in the dock and cried out, “I never served in Savar. I was on the side of the students.” The tribunal assured him, “We will review your involvement. If there is no connection, you will receive justice.”

Later, the Chief Prosecutor admitted an error, confirming that Mazharul Islam had not served in Savar but was the OC of Gulshan Police Station. He then described incidents of killings and torture in Gulshan, alleging that Mazharul met with local Awami League leaders and ordered the killings. While these accusations were being recounted, Mazharul remained silent.

The tribunal also issued orders to conclude the investigation within one month against eight officials, including a former Inspector General of Police and the ex-Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), regarding crimes against humanity during the July-August genocide. The accused have been remanded to custody.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, set December 19 as the next hearing date. This decision followed a previous order on October 27, requiring the eight officials to be produced in court.

Earlier in the day, the eight accused were presented before the tribunal under heavy security. Their arrest followed the tribunal's approval of a prosecution petition, intensifying the probe into their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.