Army officers’ plea for virtual hearings rejected

The International Crimes Tribunal has rejected a petition seeking virtual hearings for army officers arrested in a case over alleged enforced disappearances and torture carried out by the TFI Cell during the Awami League government.

The order was issued on Wednesday, December 3, by Tribunal-1 led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, following a hearing on the application filed by one of the army officers’ lawyers. The tribunal also set December 14 for the hearing on the discharge petition of the accused.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters, “The petition for virtual appearance has been rejected. They must be present in person.”

Earlier in the morning, 10 army officers accused in the case were produced before the tribunal. In the afternoon, Dr Tabarak Hossain, lawyer for seven of them, argued the plea for virtual appearance. During the hearing, the tribunal asked him whether he wanted to proceed with the virtual appearance petition or the discharge petition. The lawyer responded that he would continue with the hearing on virtual appearance and seek time for the discharge petition.

When the tribunal asked on what grounds he sought virtual appearance, Advocate Tabarak said, “They are army officers. They are being subjected to media trial. If they are acquitted, they may not be able to return to their command regiment. There is a strong possibility they will be proven innocent.”

The tribunal chair said, “We are not trying army officers here. Although they belong to the army, they were working with RAB at that time, which is a police force. We hold respect for everyone — the army and the general public alike. Even the Chief Justice and ministers appear in court.”

The tribunal then rejected the petition for virtual appearance of the army officers.