International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has alleged that former Ekattor Media Limited managing director Mozammel Haque Babu and former Ekattor Television chief reporter Farzana Rupa were involved in planning the 2013 killings at Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally in Dhaka’s Motijheel Shapla Chattar. He made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing at his office in response to questions from journalists.

According to Aminul Islam, both Babu and Rupa were aware of the impending violence and their report titled “Somikoron” concealed the truth by claiming that no casualties occurred. He stated that investigators have since identified 32 victims from the incident site. The prosecutor emphasized that professional identity does not exempt anyone from accountability, saying that journalists, lawyers, or doctors could face trial if involved in crimes.

When asked how a journalist covering the event could be linked to planning, Aminul Islam questioned Rupa’s motives, noting that while other television channels were shut down, her live broadcast continued and allegedly concealed the killings.