ICT defers order on charge framing against Hasina, 10 army officers to 23 Dec
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today (21 December) deferred its order on the framing of charges against 17 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 army officers until 23 December, in a case involving crimes against humanity.
The allegations centre on enforced disappearances and systemic torture at the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) Cell during the now-fallen Awami League's nearly 16-year tenure.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, was expected to deliver the order today (21 December).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, the bench pushed the date back by two days after a section of the defence counsel sought a further delay to prepare for the proceedings.
Earlier, the 10 arrested army officers were brought to the tribunal amid heavy security from the special jail located within the Dhaka Cantonment.
During the session, senior lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury, representing several of the accused including Tofayel, Kamrul, and Moshiur Jewel, moved an application for an adjournment. He requested the tribunal to set another date for the order, a move that drew sharp criticism from the state.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam argued that the defence was employing dilatory tactics to frustrate the judicial process and "embarrass the court".
Despite his objections, the tribunal granted the short deferment until 23 December.
The officers produced before the tribunal today include former RAB additional director general Brig Gen Md Jahangir Alam, Brig Gen Tofayel Mustafa Sarwar, Brig Gen Md Kamrul Hasan, Brig Gen Md Mahabub Alam, Col KM Azad, Col Abdullah Al Momen, and Col Anwar Latif Khan, who is currently on post-retirement leave (PRL).
Other officers in custody are Col Md Moshiur Rahman, the former chief of RAB's intelligence wing, Lt Col Saiful Islam Suman, and Lt Col Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.
The prosecution has also named seven others as fugitives in the case.
Heading this list is the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, followed by her former defence adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of Police Benazir Ahmed. The remaining fugitives are former RAB directors general M Khurshid Hossain and Barrister Harun-ur-Rashid, along with former RAB director Lt Col (retd) Md Khairul Islam.
The TFI Cell was used as a primary facility for the enforced disappearance of political dissidents and activists (Anti-Awami League). Victims were reportedly subjected to prolonged illegal detention and brutal interrogation methods.
