2025 ICT Rules Amendment Empowers Prosecutors, Defines Role of Organizations

Following the amendment of the International Crimes Tribunal (“ICT”) Ordinance, the ICT has amended its procedural rules, introducing significant changes to the trial process, particularly concerning organizations, arrests, and case management.

Trials involving Organizations (Rule-30)

With the change allowing organizations to be prosecuted, new rules detail the method:

• When a case is brought against an organization, a summons or warrant will be issued to its leadership (president, chairperson, or secretary).
• The designated leader will represent the organization during the trial and can be held personally responsible and punished for any violation of the ICT’s orders.

Arrest and Investigation Powers (Rule-6)

• Investigators or designated prosecutors now have the authority to arrest suspects directly if they have reason to believe an offense has occurred.
• They can investigate the scene, make arrests, and seek assistance from law enforcement agencies.
• A crucial safeguard requires that anyone arrested must be allowed to appear before the ICT or a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.

Additional Procedural Clarifications

• Witness statements (Rule-24): Investigators can request a judicial magistrate of the first class to officially record witness statements.
• Trial management: The ICT Chief Prosecutor has the discretion to try multiple accused individuals simultaneously or separately. Likewise, multiple allegations against a single person can be combined into one formal charge for a single trial.