Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has admitted responsibility for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

He told the International Criminal Tribunal, "The accusations of murder and genocide against us during the July-August movement are true. I plead guilty to this incident. I want to present the details of the crimes committed during the July-August movement to the court as a witness. I want to help the court in unraveling the mystery."

He made the statement while admitting responsibility to the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1 led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder on Thursday (July 10) afternoon.

At that time, the tribunal granted his application to become a royal witness and issued an order.

Chowdhury Mamun's lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad prayed for adequate security arrangements for the former police chief as he is a witness in the case. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the tribunal will issue an appropriate order in this regard.

Shortly before this, the tribunal ordered the start of the trial by framing formal charges against three accused, including ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. At the same time, the court has fixed August 3 for the presentation of the prosecution's opening statement in the case. In addition, August 4 has been fixed for the recording of testimony against the accused.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the order on Thursday, rejecting the defendants' plea to be released from the case.

The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. With this, the formal trial against Sheikh Hasina and three others in the July genocide case began.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam represented the prosecution in the court. Among the accused, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan are absconding. State-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain represented them. Lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad represented the other accused, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun was present at the tribunal. Before framing the charges, the tribunal gave him the opportunity to speak. During this, Chowdhury Mamun made a statement admitting responsibility for the crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising. Then, the tribunal framed charges for 5 crimes and ordered the trial to begin against the three accused.

On July 7, today was set as the date for the order to frame formal charges against three accused, including Sheikh Hasina.