Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 has scheduled December 14 for issuing its order on the framing of charges against 13 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case concerning enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the previous Awami League administration. Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, who chairs the three-member ICT-1 panel, set the date following the conclusion of arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam advocated for the framing of charges against the accused, while the defense lawyers argued for their discharge. The prosecution has filed five specific charges of enforced disappearance and torture against the 13 accused individuals. Among the accused, Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui were present in the tribunal during the proceedings.
Previously, on October 8, the tribunal acknowledged charges against 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in two separate cases involving enforced disappearances and torture purportedly conducted at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) Cell and the JIC during the Awami League’s governance. In the JIC case, the list of accused features Sheikh Hasina, her former security and defense adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and several others.
The prosecution has also leveled an additional five charges against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Tarique Ahmed Siddique, for similar offenses allegedly executed at the TFI Cell. The list of accused in this matter encompasses figures such as Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Benazir Ahmed, and others.