Trial testimony against Ziaul Ahsan begins today

Trial testimony against Ziaul Ahsan begins today

A new phase in the trial process of former army officer Major General (retd.) Ziaul Ahsan, accused in connection with over a hundred incidents of enforced disappearance and killing during the rule of the Awami League government, begins today.

On Sunday, February 8, the presentation of the prosecution's opening statement and the commencement of witness testimonies are scheduled at the International Crimes Tribunal.

The testimony will be conducted before a three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Martuza Majumdar. The other two members of the bench are Justice Md. Shafiqul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Prosecution sources have indicated that the hearing will begin with an opening statement outlining the overall context of the case. After that, the formal testimony phase will commence with the examination of the first witness. In this case, former army chief General (retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan is also expected to testify.

Earlier, on January 14, the International Crimes Tribunal issued an order for the trial to begin against Ziaul Ahsan on three specific charges of crimes against humanity. The same order set today's date for the commencement of testimony.

According to the case's statement of allegations, the first charge states that on the night of July 11, 2011, three individuals, including Sajal, were killed in the Pubail area of Gazipur in the direct presence of Ziaul Ahsan. The second charge alleges his responsibility for the killing of 50 people, including Nazrul and Mallik, in the estuary of the Baleshwar River in Patharghata upazila of Barguna between 2010 and 2013. The third charge also cites information about the killing of another 50 people within the same timeframe.