Sheikh Hasina, Benazir among 30 accused ordered to appear before tribunal by Sep 16

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, former IGP Benazir Ahmed and 27 other accused to appear before the tribunal by September 16. The tribunal has also directed that the notice be published in two newspapers.

The order was issued after the 30 accused could not be located at their given addresses. The charges relate to the crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam activists at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel and in Narayanganj on May 5-6, 2013 .

The prosecution informed the tribunal that all 30 accused, apart from 11 already in custody, could not be found. If they fail to appear, the tribunal will appoint state counsels to defend them, the prosecution noted.

The tribunal had previously issued arrest warrants for the fugitive accused .

On July 27, the tribunal accepted formal charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against 41 people, including Sheikh Hasina and two journalists, in connection with the 2013 crackdown . Hasina was described in the charges as the "main protagonist" who planned the operation.

Benazir Ahmed, who served as DMP commissioner at the time of the Shapla Chattar incident, was arrested in Dubai on June 12 on an Interpol Red Notice and is facing multiple corruption and crimes against humanity cases . The tribunal's prosecution has also sought an Interpol Red Notice for former army chief Aziz Ahmed, who is believed to be living abroad.