ICT orders trial of Hasina, Kamal and 15 Army officers over alleged disappearances, torture at TFI

The prosecution’s opening statement and witness testimony will start on Jan 21

The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the start of trial proceedings against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and 15 Army officers over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture during the previous Awami League government.

The order was issued on Tuesday by a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

The tribunal said it would begin hearing the prosecution’s opening statement and witness testimony on Jan 21.

The case centres on allegations of crimes against humanity committed in Task Force Interrogation cells, where people were allegedly detained and subjected to torture.

Earlier, on Dec 18, the tribunal formally framed charges against Hasina in a crimes against humanity case involving enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC).

Around 10 am on Tuesday, 10 Army officers were produced before the tribunal from the special prison in Dhaka Cantonment.

They are former additional director general of RAB Brig Gen Md Jahangir Alam, Brig Gen Tofail Mostafa Sarwar, Brig Gen Md Kamrul Hassan, Brig Gen Md Mahbub Alam, Col KM Azad, Col Abdullah Al Momen, Col Anwar Latif Khan (on retirement leave), former director of RAB (Intelligence Branch) Col Md Moshiur Rahman, Lt Col Saiful Islam Sumon and Lt Col Md Sarwar Bin Quasem.

Several key figures remain absconding in the case, including Hasina, Kamal, Hasina's defence advisor retired major general Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former police chief Benazir Ahmed, former RAB DG M Khurshid Hossain, former RAB DG Harunor Rashid, and former RAB director Md Khairul Islam.