ICT denies virtual hearing plea for 13 Army Officers, orders to appear in person

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 will hold hearings on December 3 and 7 for framing charges in the war crimes case against Sheikh Hasina and 13 army officers.

The court rejected the officers’ request for virtual appearance, ruling that physical presence is mandatory under the principle of equal application of law.

Notices have also been issued for the surrender of absconding accused.

The 13 officers required to appear in person include Brig. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam, Brig. Gen. Tofail Mostafa Sarwar, Brig. Gen. Md. Kamrul Hasan, Lt. Col. Md. Moshiur Rahman, Lt. Col. Saiful Islam Sumon, Maj. Gen. Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain, among others.

Seven accused, including Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, remain at large.

The tribunal has also directed the removal of objectionable content related to the case from social media and other media outlets.