15 army officers accused of crimes against humanity still in service: ICT prosecutor
They were sent to jail last week in three cases filed over enforced disappearances, killings, and torture allegedly committed by the TFI-JIC cell during the Awami League government's tenure.
Fifteen of the 25 army officers accused in three separate cases of crimes against humanity are still in active service, according to International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at a briefing today (26 October) on the tribunal premises.
On 22 October, the 15 officers, who were in military custody, were produced before the tribunal, which ordered sending them to jail. They were later taken to a sub-jail within Dhaka Cantonment.
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A journalist asked Prosecutor Tamim: "You're calling them serving officers, but under the amended law, once formal charges are filed, they can no longer remain in service. So, are they officially dismissed or still serving?"
Tamim replied, "The law says what it says – the interpretation is clear. It's now up to the army headquarters to decide when the law will be applied to them. Until it's enforced, they can be considered serving."
Two of the three cases involve crimes against humanity – enforced disappearance and torture – committed during the previous Awami League regime. The third concerns crimes committed during the July Uprising in the Rampura and Banasree areas of Dhaka.
Among the 25 accused, one is on post-retirement leave, and nine are retired.
Case date changes
The next hearing dates for the two cases related to enforced disappearances and torture were initially set for 20 November. Prosecutor Tamim said the prosecution filed a petition today, seeking rescheduling due to internal complications. The tribunal granted the request, setting the next hearing for 23 November.
In another case over crimes against humanity during the July Uprising in Rampura, which involves two army officers, the previous hearing date of 5 November has also been rescheduled to 24 November, Tamim added.
