Dhaka: The prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today urged the court to establish a clear precedent of accountability and responsibility so that the heinous crime of enforced disappearance can never again raise its head in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam emphasized that the trial is not merely about addressing past crimes, but about making a commitment to the future. He made these remarks during his opening statement in a case concerning enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the previous Awami League government.
Tajul Islam highlighted the importance of punishing the culprits to prevent similar future incidents, asserting that if justice is served, it would send a strong message that enforced disappearances are unacceptable under any circumstances. He underscored that the tribunal’s goal is not only to locate missing persons but also to redefine the boundaries of humanity that have been violated by these crimes.
The prosecution’s case largely relies on testimonies from survivors who were held at JIC facilities and later released in various ways. Some victims were abandoned on roadsides, while others were falsely arrested and imprisoned. Additional testimonies will be provided by family members who suffered due to these crimes.
Evidence such as newspaper reports, mobile phone records, police diaries, and court documents will be used to establish the timeline of disappearances and victims’ reappearances. The prosecution claims that various reports from governmental and non-governmental organizations provide irrefutable evidence of enforced disappearance and torture.
Tajul Islam stated that the architecture of enforced disappearance was designed to erase all traces of evidence, with some sites and documents permanently destroyed. He urged the tribunal to consider this reality while reviewing evidence.
The trial involves crimes against 26 survivors who were forcibly disappeared and detained at the JIC between 2016 and 2024, with investigations into other cases ongoing. Thirteen individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her former adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, have been accused. On December 18, 2025, the ICT-1 framed charges against 13 individuals, and the prosecution’s opening statement was scheduled for January 19.
Three of the accused are in custody and have pleaded not guilty. Previously, the tribunal acknowledged charges against 30 people, including Sheikh Hasina, in two cases over enforced disappearances and torture during the Awami League rule. Additionally, another case was filed against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Siddique, for similar crimes at the TFI Cell.