Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The Bangladesh government is examining corruption allegations against former president Mohammed Shahabuddin, but will ensure that no innocent person is punished while meeting public expectations, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Sunday.
Speaking after inaugurating a five-day workshop for new members of the Chattogram District Bar Association, Asaduzzaman said the allegations relate to Shahabuddin’s tenure as a commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and as a director of Islami Bank. “If the allegations are proven true after investigation, legal action will be taken,” he said, adding that the government would announce its decision at the appropriate time.
On reports of a possible travel ban preventing Shahabuddin, a member of the banned Awami League, from going abroad for medical treatment, the law minister referred the matter to the Home Ministry. “These are confidential issues and will be disclosed only at the right time keeping in mind national interests,” he said.
However, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government currently sees no grounds to arrest the former president. “There is nothing that we see as grounds for arresting the former president. He will get all the facilities he is entitled to under the law. He will also receive security,” he told reporters.
Salahuddin said Shahabuddin would receive security from the Special Security Force (SSF) and the President’s Guard Regiment (PGR) for six months, along with protection from police and other agencies as per law.
Responding to demands for Shahabuddin’s arrest, the home minister said people have the right to protest but added, “We have not found any statement there that requires our consideration.”
Defending Shahabuddin’s role as president, Salahuddin said he performed his constitutional duties during the final phase of the Awami League government, the interim government and the current administration. “We received his cooperation,” he said.
On an alleged audio clip involving Shahabuddin, the minister said, “We have seen it in newspapers. We do not have any such information.” He added that in the internet era, “the idea that someone would have to go to London to talk to someone seems unrealistic to me.”
Meanwhile, two organisations have filed complaints with the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against former presidents Abdul Hamid and Mohammed Shahabuddin, alleging their involvement in crimes committed during the Awami League’s 15-year rule.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam confirmed receiving information about the complaints but said he was yet to get the documents. After reviewing them, he said they would be sent to the ICT investigation team.
The Bangladesh Azad Party filed the complaints, alleging that the two former presidents cannot avoid responsibility for enforced disappearances, state-backed massacres and killings during the Awami League regime.