Newspaper notices with summons will be issued if 15 army officers fail to appear before ICT tomorrow: Prosecutor
They will be declared absconding if they do not appear on a rescheduled date, says Gazi MAE Tamim
Fifteen former and current Bangladesh Army officers accused of committing crimes against humanity — including enforced disappearance, murder, and torture — must be brought or appear before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) tomorrow, or notices will be published in newspapers ordering them to surrender and face trial, Prosecutor Gazi MAE Tamim said today (21 October).
Speaking to reporters on the tribunal premises, he said, "The tribunal has issued arrest warrants against several former and current officers. The IGP was ordered to execute that order. Copies of the warrants were also sent to the heads of the forces concerned."
"Under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, the accused officers can either appear voluntarily or be arrested by the law enforcers and brought to the tribunal.
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"Once produced, the tribunal may grant bail if justified or send them to jail, with the relevant authorities deciding the place of custody," Tamim said.
He further explained, "If they fail to appear or are not produced tomorrow, the tribunal will set a new date, and notices with their summons will be published in two newspapers. Non-appearance on that date would lead to them being declared absconding.
"A state-appointed defence lawyer for them will then be appointed at the government's expense to represent them, as per tribunal provisions."
Tamim said, "Any information on whether the 15 army officers are arrested or in custody will not come to the prosecution. Because the tribunal has issued the arrest warrant, the tribunal's registrar's office has delivered it to the concerned authorities. The registrar's office will receive any information in this regard."
The prosecutor went on to say that the tribunal will announce today whether they have received any information at all. "If the prosecution learns that a non-execution report has been received, the prosecution will communicate the legal provisions to the tribunal [for further measures]."
Enforced disappearance: ICT arrest warrants for 30 sent to 12 offices including police, army, DGFI
On 11 October, the Bangladesh Army headquarters said that 15 army officers, facing arrest warrants issued in separate cases over enforced disappearances and torture committed during the Awami League's rule, had been taken into military custody.
Earlier on 8 October, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 issued arrest warrants for 30 individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in two separate cases over abduction and enforced disappearance.
The warrants were sent to the IGP and the 12 other relevant offices including that of Chief of Army Staff.
