Shapla Chattar case: Tribunal orders 30 absconding accused to surrender by Sept 16

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered 30 absconding accused, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former army chief Aziz Ahmed and former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, to surrender before the tribunal by September 16 in the Shapla Chattar killings case.

The tribunal passed the order on Thursday (September 3) after hearing a prosecution petition.

It also directed that notices be published in national newspapers asking the absconding accused to surrender within the stipulated deadline.

Ten detained accused were produced before the tribunal on Thursday. They include former ministers Hasanul Haq Inu, Dipu Moni and Shamsul Haque Tuku, former Major General Ziaul Ahsan and journalist Shahriar Kabir. Journalist Farzana Rupa was not produced due to illness.

Other detained accused include former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque, Abdul Jalil Mondal and journalist Mozammel Haque Babu.

On July 27, Tribunal-2 took cognisance of formal charges against 41 accused in connection with the May 5, 2013 Shapla Chattar violence.

According to the prosecution, electricity and internet connections were deliberately cut during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally that day, followed by a nighttime operation in which people were allegedly killed. The prosecution claims the operation was aimed at eliminating Hefazat-e-Islam.

Case documents list 61 people as having been killed in the incident, with the identities of 58 victims confirmed.

The 30 absconding accused must appear before the tribunal by September 16. Failure to surrender within the deadline will lead to further legal action, according to the tribunal’s order.