Ekramul Haque murder: Arrest warrants issued against Sheikh Hasina, Benazir and 8 others

The International Crimes Tribunal has taken cognisance of the formal charges filed against 11 individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the case of crimes against humanity over the killing of Councillor Ekramul Haque in a 'crossfire' in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. The tribunal has issued arrest warrants against eight absconding accused and ordered the production of three others currently in custody in other cases.

The orders were passed on Sunday (July 26) by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members of the bench were Justice Md Manzurul Basid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

Prosecutor Zahirul Amin appeared for the state during the hearing. He presented the case and sought the tribunal's acceptance of the formal charges. Following the hearing, the tribunal accepted the charges and issued necessary orders. The tribunal ordered the production of three accused—Abdur Rahman Bodi, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan and Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam—who are currently in custody in other cases, at the next hearing. It also issued arrest warrants against eight fugitive accused. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for August 25.

The accused in the case are: ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam, Brigadier General Miftah Uddin, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Major Ruhul Amin, army officer Nazmus Sakib, former Member of Parliament Abdur Rahman Bodi and army officer Ashikur Rahman.

Earlier the same day, the prosecution submitted the formal charges to the Registrar's office of the International Crimes Tribunal.

It may be noted that Ekramul Haque, Councillor of Ward No. 3 of Teknaf municipality and president of the upazila Jubo League, was killed in a 'crossfire' during an anti-drug operation on the night of May 26, 2018. His death sparked widespread debate and criticism across the country. Subsequently, a case was filed with the International Crimes Tribunal following an investigation into the incident as a crime against humanity.