Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) -1 has ordered the commencement of trial by framing charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including 10 army officers. The charges relate to crimes against humanity, specifically enforced disappearance and torture, allegedly committed at the Taskforce For Interrogation (TFI) cell during the Awami League regime.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, representing the prosecution, requested the framing of charges by presenting four allegations against the accused. In response, defense lawyers filed separate petitions seeking the discharge of the accused from the case. However, the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, rejected these discharge petitions and ordered the trial to proceed. The tribunal has scheduled January 21 as the date for the presentation of the opening statement and the recording of witness testimonies.
Among the 17 accused, 10 army officers have been apprehended. These individuals include Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Tofail Mostafa Sarwar, Md Kamrul Hasan, Md Mahbub Alam, and K M Azad; Colonel Abdullah Al Momen and Anwar Latif Khan (currently on pre-retirement leave), Lieutenant Colonel Md Mashiur Rahman, Saiful Islam Sumon, and Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.
The seven remaining accused, who are currently absconding, include ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her former defense adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, former RAB director general M Khurshid Hossain, former RAB director general Barrister Harun-or-Rashid, and former RAB director Lieutenant Colonel (rtd) Md Khairul Islam.