ICT issues arrest warrants for Hasina, 29 others over enforced disappearances
Among the accused are five former directors general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI)
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) today (8 October) issued warrants for the arrest of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her security and defence adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 28 other individuals.
The action follows the formal filing of charges against them over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture committed during the Awami League's rule.
Among the accused are five former directors general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), as well as former chiefs of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
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The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, took the formal charges into cognisance after they were submitted by the prosecution.
Charges name Hasina as prime accused
The charges named Sheikh Hasina as the prime accused in crimes against humanity cases involving the abduction and torture of opposition figures, who were allegedly detained in secret cells operated by RAB's Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) during the Awami League's rule.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said two separate sets of formal charges were submitted to the registrar of the tribunal. One case accuses Hasina, Tarique Siddique, and 17 others of abduction and torture in the TFI cell, while the other involves Hasina, Tarique, and 13 others in similar offences committed in the Joint Interrogation Cell.
During the hearing, the chief prosecutor appeared on behalf of the prosecution and presented the allegations before the tribunal. He described in detail the harrowing accounts of abduction, secret detention, and torture of individuals with dissenting political or ideological views – including political and cultural activists, writers, and journalists – allegedly committed during the Awami League government's rule.
Ex-DGFI, RAB chiefs among accused
In the case concerning abduction, enforced disappearances, and torture in the Rapid Action Battalion's TFI cell, 17 individuals were charged with five counts of crimes.
The accused in this case are: Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, former RAB director general M Khurshid Hossain, former RAB director general Barrister Harun ur Rashid, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Brigadier General Jahangir Alam, Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, RAB officer KM Azad, Brigadier General Kamrul Hasan, Mahbub Alam, Abdullah Al Momen, Sarwar Bin Kashem, Khairul Islam, Moshiur Rahman Jewel, and Saiful Islam Suman.
In another case filed over enforced disappearances at the Joint Interrogation Cell, 13 individuals, including Hasina, have been accused of crimes against humanity.
The accused in that case are: Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former DGFI director general Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Akbar Hossain, former DG Maj Gen (retd) Saiful Abedin, Lt Gen (retd) Md Saiful Alam, former DG Lt Gen Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, former DG Maj Gen (retd) Hamidul Haque, Maj Gen Towhidul Islam, Maj Gen Sarwar Hossain, Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed, Brig Gen Mahbubur Rahman Siddique, Brig Gen Ahmed Tanvir Majhar Siddique, and Lt Col (retd) Makhsurul Haque.
Among them, four army officers are currently in active service. However, under the amended International Crimes Tribunal Act, serving officers accused in such cases are not permitted to hold any official post, Tajul Islam said.
Hasina fled to India with her sister Sheikh Rehana on 5 August last year in the face of a mass uprising led by students. She has been in India since then. However, the whereabouts of Tarique Siddique remain unknown.
According to media reports, Siddique was denied citizenship in Malta, but he and his family have obtained long-term residency in Malaysia under the country's "Malaysia My Second Home" programme. Additionally, Siddique holds permanent residency in Dubai, where he owns substantial property and has made large investments.
Victims demand speedy trial
A group of individuals who were subjected to enforced disappearances during the last Awami League tenure demanded the swift trial of all those involved.
Following the issuance of the warrants, they told journalists on the tribunal premises that such heinous incidents must never recur in Bangladesh and expressed hope that those at the centre of power would take this trial as a deterrent example.
Among those present who later briefed the media were Brigadier General (retd) Abdullahil Aman Al Azmi, Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, Hammam Quader Chowdhury, former army officer Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman Bir Pratik, and Michael Chakma.
Azmi said, "The DGFI held me captive for nearly eight years without any crime. I seek justice for all the persecution. No one is above the law; regardless of who the offender is, they must face the law. We have filed cases against all those involved, including the former prime minister."
Michael said, "We have filed specific cases against those who illegally disappeared me for five and a half years. I believe I will get justice. I hope those who are at the centre of power will take this trial as a deterrent example."
Arman, Hammam and Hasinur also shared their ordeal and demanded punishment for the offenders.
