Ten Army Officers Produced Before Tribunal in Abduction and Torture Case

Ten army officers accused in a case filed over abduction and torture at the TFI Cell during the previous tenure in power have been produced before the International Crimes Tribunal. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others have also been named as accused in the same case.

At 10:23 am on Wednesday, they were brought from the special prison at Dhaka Cantonment in an air-conditioned green van marked Bangladesh Jail–Prison Van.

The officers produced are— Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan, Brigadier General Md Mahabub Alam, Colonel K M Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan (on post-retirement leave), Colonel Md Mashiur Rahman (former director, RAB Intelligence Wing), Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Sumon and Lieutenant Colonel Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.

Fugitive accused include— former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Defence Adviser Major General (Retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Dr Benazir Ahmed, former RAB Director General M Khurshid Hossain and Barrister Harun-ur-Rashid.

After 11 am, a hearing on charge framing will begin before the three-member panel of Tribunal-1 headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder. The prosecution will present arguments first, followed by the defence. State-appointed defence lawyers will present arguments for the fugitives.

Tight security has been deployed across the tribunal premises, with police, RAB, army, BGB and intelligence personnel patrolling the High Court gate and surrounding areas.

Earlier, on 23 November, the date was set for today’s hearing. On that day the ten detained officers were produced before the tribunal. Although their lawyers sought virtual appearance, the matter will be heard again today. The tribunal had remarked that the law is equal for all, noting that even former Chief Justices and former Ministers have appeared in person while in custody.

Senior lawyer Z I Khan Panna applied to appear for fugitive accused Sheikh Hasina. He was appointed as state defence, though he verbally indicated he would not contest the case.

On 22 October, when the ten officers in army custody were produced, the tribunal ordered that they be shown arrested and sent to prison. Fugitive accused were instructed through notices in two national dailies to appear within seven days. As none appeared, state defence lawyers were appointed. On 8 October, after formal charges were submitted, arrest warrants were issued.

Khaborwala/TSN