ICT orders arrest of ex-Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan over crimes against humanity; hearing on 4 Jan
He was originally scheduled to appear on 21 December, but the Department of Prisons was unable to produce him before the court
The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the arrest of Major General (Retd) Ziaul Ahsan in connection with allegations of crimes against humanity, including more than 100 enforced disappearances and killings, primarily targeting individuals for their political beliefs during the previous Awami League government.
A hearing on charge-framing has been scheduled for 4 January.
Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the order today (23 December) following a petition by the prosecution. Prosecutor Sheikh Mahdi requested showing Ziaul Ahsan arrested in the case and additional time for the hearing on framing charges.
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The Tribunal approved the request, directed his immediate arrest, and remanded him to prison.
Ziaul Ahsan was brought to the Tribunal in a prison van. He had been scheduled to appear on 21 December, but the Department of Prisons was unable to produce him as the court order had not reached the facility.
The Tribunal subsequently instructed authorities to ensure his presence.
He has been in jail since 15 August 2024 after being arrested in the capital's Khilkhet.
Earlier, on 17 December, the Tribunal accepted three formal charges filed by the prosecution. The Chief Prosecutor alleged that Ziaul Ahsan orchestrated the killings and staged events to lend them an appearance of legitimacy, acting as the mastermind behind the crimes.
In addition to enforced disappearances and killings, Ziaul Ahsan faces several other cases related to crimes against humanity.
The prosecution presented further evidence detailing the scale and severity of the alleged offences.
