Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 has scheduled December 18 for delivering its order on charge framing 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 tenure of the previous Awami League government. Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, who chairs the three-member panel of ICT-1, announced the new date.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tribunal had initially set December 14 for the indictment order after completing hearings from both the prosecution and defence on December 9. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam advocated for the charges to be framed against the accused, while the defence sought their discharge. The prosecution has presented five specific charges of enforced disappearance and torture against the 13 individuals. During the proceedings, three of the accused-Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui-were present in the tribunal.
Previously, on October 8, the tribunal acknowledged charges against 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in two distinct cases related to enforced disappearances and torture purportedly executed at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) Cell and the JIC during the Awami League's administration. In the JIC case, the accused encompass Sheikh Hasina; her former security and defence adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique; and Md Akbar Hossain, among others.
Moreover, the prosecution has filed an additional five charges against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Tarique Ahmed Siddique, for similar alleged crimes at the TFI Cell. Other accused in this case include Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Benazir Ahmed, and several others.