Hours after Tureen Afroz was discharged as a prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Law Minister Anisul Huq has said the decision was made based on evidence.
"She [Turin] stands accused of holding a meeting with a war crimes suspect. She herself was a prosecution counsel in the case. The [audio] record of her talks with the accused was sent to the chief prosecutors. The audio has been carefully examined ... She has been removed from her post based on the witness statements and evidence," he said on Monday (Nov 11).
Speaking to the media at his office in the Secretariat, the minister called the removal of Turin "saddening."
Anisul said that they were satisfied over Turin's work at the ICT as she carried out her duties with sincerity and integrality till the end. "No question on it. Why did she do it? It's saddening.
"She talked to the war crimes accused of the case in which charge framing is underway. Which is why she has been removed from the ICT," the minister added.
Asked Turin would face any criminal charges, Anisul declined to comment.
The minister called the people who are now involved in dealing with the war crimes saying, "action will be taken if any allegation arises. It's a very important and sensitive issue."
Earlier in the day, the Law Ministry in a notice, removed Tureen from her post for breaching discipline and professional misconduct, effective immediately.
Tureen Afroz, who was taken off from all cases since May 9, 2018, stands accused of holding a secret meeting with war crimes suspect Wahidul Haque.
A retired National Security Intelligence (NSI) chief, Haque is now behind the bars after police arrested him on Apr 24, 2018, following a warrant issued by the tribunal.
Late 2017, Afroz allegedly met Haque, a former police official, to tip him off about the imminent arrest as well as demanded money from him.
Tureen Afroz was appointed to the International Crimes Tribunal as a prosecutor in February 2013.
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Tureen Afroz removed as war crimes tribunal prosecutor