Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today announced that it will pass its order on December 23 regarding the framing of charges against 17 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with a case concerning enforced disappearances and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) Cell during the Awami League government’s previous tenure. Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, who chairs the three-member panel of ICT-1, granted a time extension request from the defense before setting the date.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam presented arguments supporting the framing of four specific charges against the accused, which include Sheikh Hasina and former security and defense adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique. Meanwhile, defense attorneys have argued for the discharge of their clients. Among the accused are Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Benazir Ahmed, M Khurshid Hossain, and several others, with 10 military officials currently in custody.
The tribunal had earlier, on October 8, acknowledged charges against 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in two distinct cases related to allegations of enforced disappearances and torture at the TFI Cell and the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League’s rule. Notably, the JIC case also implicates Sheikh Hasina, her former adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and others such as Md Akbar Hossain and Md Saiful Abedin.