Trial begins against Hasina, 5 ex-DGFI chiefs over enforced disappearances, torture
Of the 10 fugitives accused, five served as DGFI directors general at different times
The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the start of trial against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 others, including five former Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Director Generals (DGs) in a crimes against humanity case over enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League regime.
A three-member panel of Tribunal-1, headed by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, passed the order today (18 December).
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam appeared for the prosecution along with prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, Shaikh Mahdi and others.
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Of the 10 fugitives accused, five served as DGFI directors general at different times.
They are Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Akbar Hossain, Maj Gen (retd) Saiful Abedin, Lt Gen (retd) Md Saiful Alam, Lt Gen (retd) Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury and Maj Gen (retd) Hamidul Haque.
The other accused are Sheikh Hasina's former defence affairs adviser retired Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former DGFI director Maj Gen (retd) Mohammad Touhidul Ul Islam, Maj Gen (retd) Kabir Ahmed and Lt Col (retd) Mokhsurul Haque.
The date, 14 December, was fixed for the order on framing of charges but no order was issued that day and the tribunal later set 18 December for the decision.
At the same time, three accused who were earlier arrested by police were produced before the tribunal.
On 9 November, advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu argued for the discharge of the three arrested accused, citing four grounds, reports UNB.
The tribunal said it would consider three grounds related to illegal detention, abduction and torture while the fourth ground concerned enforced disappearance.
The prosecution submitted five charges in the case.
During the 7 December hearing on charge framing, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam detailed what he described as horrific incidents of enforced disappearance and torture of government critics at the JIC.
He presented accounts of 26 people who were allegedly disappeared between 22 October 2015 and 5 August 2024, and sought framing of charges against all 13 accused.
Earlier, on 23 November, state defence counsel was appointed for the fugitive accused.
Senior lawyer ZI Khan Panna was initially appointed to represent Sheikh Hasina at her request but he withdrew on 3 December due to illness after which Md Amir Hossain was appointed as her counsel.
On 8 October, formal charges were submitted against the 13 accused.
The tribunal took cognisance of the charges and issued arrest warrants against them.
