Leaked recordings, prosecutorial infighting, and bribery allegations are casting a long shadow over the credibility of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal

Few institutions in Bangladesh have carried as much symbolic weight as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Established to prosecute atrocities committed during the country’s 1971 liberation war, the tribunal once represented a long-awaited attempt to deliver justice for one of South Asia’s darkest chapters. Today, however, the same institution is facing mounting allegations that threaten to undermine its credibility. Investigative reports, leaked communications, and internal disputes have raised disturbing questions about bribery, political manipulation, and institutional abuse within the tribunal—casting doubt on whether it still serves the cause of justice or has become a tool of political retribution.

The tribunal was originally established in 2009 under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 to prosecute individuals accused of committing genocide, crimes against humanity, and other grave offenses during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. For decades, many Bangladeshis had demanded accountability for atrocities committed during the war, particularly by the Pakistan Army and its local collaborators such as Razakar militia, Al-Badr militia, and Al-Shams militia.

International actors initially welcomed the move. The United Nations offered technical assistance, while the European Union expressed support for the trials and encouraged Bangladesh to ensure that proceedings adhered to international standards of due process.

At its inception, the tribunal was widely viewed as a national effort to reconcile historical trauma with legal accountability.

The role and perception of the tribunal began to shift dramatically following the political upheaval that culminated in the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power on August 5, 2024. After the political transition, the tribunal’s jurisdiction and operational priorities were altered through legislative amendments.

Under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, the tribunal began hearing a growing number of cases against senior members of the former Awami........

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