Captives under enforced disappearances used to be called by code name 'Monalisa': ICT chief prosecutor

Captives who became victims of enforced disappearance were referred to by their captors using the code name "Monalisa", Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Muhammad Tajul Islam said today (8 October).

Enforced disappearances and killings were common under the 15-year rule of the Awami League, and no one in Bangladesh wants members of the former ruling party to return, he told reporters at the tribunal premises today (8 October).

The tribunal has filed formal charges in two separate cases of crimes against humanity, involving 30 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Arrest warrants were issued for the accused.

Tajul Islam said, "Rogue members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) detained and tortured political activists and journalists in secret centres, including the North TFI cell and JIC."

"Some DGFI members misused the JIC centre to detain political and non-political prisoners. A separate investigation report and formal charges have been filed," he added.

The cases include officials from RAB and DGFI, as well as ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former security advisor Tariq Ahmed Siddique.

The two cases relate to enforced disappearance and the alleged torture of opposition figures. In the TFI cell case, five charges were filed against 17 people, including Sheikh Hasina and Tariq Siddique.

In the JIC case, five charges were filed against 13 people, including the same two individuals.

Tajul Islam further said that the charges send a clear message that perpetrators who take the law into their own hands will face justice.