Defence lawyers allowed to join tribunal's 'Aynaghar' inspection

• ICT allows defence at 'Aynaghar' site visit
• Defence cleared for tribunal's 'Aynaghar' inspection
• ICT to inspect 'Aynaghar' with defence lawyers
• Defence allowed at DGFI, RAB site inspection

Defence lawyers have been permitted to accompany tribunal judges during their inspection of the Rapid Action Battalion's Taskforce for Interrogation Cell (TFI) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence's Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), widely known as "Aynaghar."

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT) granted the permission today (22 July) following an application from the defence.

A defence lawyer made the oral application during proceedings in a crimes against humanity case involving enforced disappearances and torture at the JIC. The tribunal accepted the request.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, defence lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu said, "The tribunal judges will visit the detention facilities operated by the DGFI and other agencies. The chief prosecutor said defence lawyers would also be allowed to accompany them."

"In continuation of that, we made a verbal request to the tribunal today. They have granted us permission. We believe this will help ensure justice for both sides."

"However, transparency will be further strengthened if the tribunal, at its own discretion, takes one or more journalists along during the inspection."

Azizur also said the cross-examination in the case involving enforced disappearances and torture at the JIC had been deferred.

"The cross-examination of the sixth witness in the case was scheduled for today. However, the prosecution sought more time as the witness could not appear due to illness. The tribunal subsequently fixed a new date," he said.

Yesterday (21 July), a three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-1, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, decided to inspect the TFI, JIC and secret detention facilities operated by the Detective Branch following an application from the prosecution.

During the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said, "During the Awami League's rule, people holding opposing political views were picked up, detained and tortured at various detention facilities known as Aynaghar. These facilities need to be inspected for the sake of the cases."

Separate trials over crimes against humanity involving enforced disappearances and torture at the TFI and JIC during the Awami League's consecutive terms in power are underway at the tribunal.

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and several serving and former military officers are among the accused in the cases.