How did Obaidul Quader flee country despite arrest warrant? ICT seeks explanation

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sought an explanation from the inspector general of police (IGP) and concerned officials of the law enforcement agencies under Bangladesh Police on how Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader managed to leave the country despite having an arrest warrant issued against him.

The IGP and the agencies have been given 15 days to provide the explanation, ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters at the tribunal premises in Dhaka today (17 December).

He was speaking to journalists after the hearing of a case involving 45 individuals, including Quader, former Awami Leagues ministers, high-profile individuals, bureaucrats, and political leaders, accused of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.

Tajul said they drew the court's attention to the fact that Quader, who was also the former road transport and bridges minister, has been in Bangladesh for the past three months after the Awami League government was ousted.

The tribunal sought the explanation within 15 days from the law enforcement agencies as to where and how Quader was in Bangladesh after the arrest warrant was issued, and why he was not arrested or how he subsequently managed to cross the country's border, he said.

The arrest warrant against Quader was issued by the ICT on 17 October. Tajul did not say how they knew Quader was in the country for three months.

"If any agency or force disregards the tribunal's orders, it will be assumed that they are not cooperating with the state's work and are not acting according to the law," said the chief prosecutor.

"We urge everyone to show loyalty not to individuals or institutions, but to the law and the constitution of Bangladesh," he added.

After ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on 5 August in the face of the student-led mass uprising, many Awami League leaders and ministers and state ministers from her government also escaped abroad while some were arrested later.

However, there has been ongoing uncertainty regarding Quader's whereabouts. Initially, rumours circulated that he had been arrested, which later turned out to be false.

Recently, a national daily reported that Quader was in the country for three months after the Awami League government fell and then managed to flee abroad.

Meanwhile, regarding the ICT's directive, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said the interim government was unaware of Quader's whereabouts even if he was hiding in the country for three months.

"If we had known, we would have caught him," he said while talking to reporters after a meeting at the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner's Office in Segunbagicha.

Responding to a journalist's question, the adviser wondered how the ICT knew Quader was hiding inside the country for three months. "We didn't know… If we were given the information that he was hiding here, we would certainly have caught him.

"Give us an example where someone was hiding and we knew but didn't catch them. We are not sparing anyone."