ICT orders completion of probe into enforced disappearance allegations against Hasina within 2 months
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has directed its investigation agency to complete the probe into allegations of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina within the next two months.
The three-member bench of ICT-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the order today (24 June) following a petition from the prosecution.
The tribunal has also instructed the prosecution to review the investigation report and formally submit the charges within the same timeframe.
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The tribunal has scheduled 24 August as the next date for further orders in the case.
Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim presented the progress of the investigation in court, accompanied by Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam.
The case stems from allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure as prime minister.
On 6 January this year, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and 10 others. The initial deadline for submitting the investigation report was 12 February, which was later extended to 20 April, and then again to 24 June due to delays in filing.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said, "We requested more time, and the tribunal granted two more months," he said.
Asked about the number of disappearance cases under investigation, he said, "We can't confirm a specific number at this point. The commission on enforced disappearances is investigating, and it has already submitted two interim reports to the tribunal's investigation agency. Once the final report is available, the total figure will be clearer."
In addition to Sheikh Hasina, the prosecution has so far publicly named three other accused in the case: former defence adviser to the prime minister Major General (retd.) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, and former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) Ziaul Ahsan.
