Enforced disappearance case: charges framed against Sheikh Hasina, 17 army officers

The International Crimes Tribunal has formally framed charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 17 former and serving army officers in a case over enforced disappearances and torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce for Interrogation cell during the Awami League regime. The tribunal also set January 21 for the prosecution’s opening statement.

The order was passed on Tuesday, December 23, by Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, with Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

With the framing of charges, the formal trial in the case has begun.

Ten army officers appeared before the tribunal on the day. When asked whether they pleaded guilty, they claimed innocence and sought justice.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, along with prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Shaikh Mahdi and others, represented the prosecution. Lawyers for both detained and absconding accused were also present.

Earlier, the tribunal rejected petitions seeking discharge filed by the defence and ordered the commencement of trial by framing four charges against all the accused.

Security was tightened in and around the tribunal from the morning, with additional deployment of police, RAB, BGB and army personnel. After 10:00am, police produced the 10 detained army officers before the tribunal from the special jail at Dhaka Cantonment.

They are former RAB additional director general Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Brigadier General Tofael Mostafa Sarwar, Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan, Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam, Colonel KM Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, on pre-retirement leave, former RAB intelligence wing director Colonel Md Mashiur Rahman, Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Suman and Lieutenant Colonel Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.

Seven accused, including Sheikh Hasina, remain absconding. They include her former defence affairs adviser Major General retired Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, former RAB director general M Khurshid Hossain, former RAB chief Barrister Harun or Rashid and former RAB director Lieutenant Colonel retired Md Khairul Islam.

Earlier, on December 3, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam concluded arguments on charge framing, describing the brutality of the TFI cell and saying a new Bangladesh emerged on August 5, 2024, after 16 years of darkness marked by enforced disappearances.