ICT-1 to begin witness testimony against Hasina, 12 military officers

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) will begin recording testimony today in a crimes against humanity case involving ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 former and serving army officers over alleged enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC).

The three-member tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, will start proceedings with opening statements, followed by the deposition of the first prosecution witness.

On December 18, the tribunal framed five charges against the 13 accused and fixed January 19 for recording evidence.

Three of the accused are currently in custody—former DGFI director Major General Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Brigadier General Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui—while the remaining 10 are absconding, including five former directors general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

According to the prosecution, at least 26 people were forcibly disappeared between October 22, 2015, and August 5, 2024, and were detained and tortured at the JIC. The tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges on October 8 last year, paving the way for trial proceedings.