Tribunal sets Sept 3 hearing against Sheikh Hasina, 40 others in Shapla Chattar crimes case

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set September 3 for the next hearing in the case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar.

A three-member bench led by Tribunal-2 Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury fixed the date after Sunday’s hearing.

Earlier, nine accused who are currently in custody were produced before the tribunal, including former ministers Dipu Moni, Abdul Latif Siddique and Shamsul Haque Tuku, along with several former government officials and a journalist.

During the hearing, the prosecution said arrest warrants had previously been issued against several accused, but they could not be located at their permanent or temporary addresses. Reports on the execution of the warrants were also unavailable for some of the accused.

The prosecution further said production warrants had not yet been issued to bring two accused, Hasanul Haq Inu and Abdur Razzaq, before the tribunal and sought additional time.

The tribunal subsequently fixed September 3 for issuing the necessary production warrants and submitting non-execution reports concerning the absconding accused.

The case names 41 accused, including Hasina, former ministers, leaders of the Awami League at various levels, and former police and law enforcement officials.

The charges cover alleged killings during the May 5, 2013 Hefazat rally at Shapla Chattar and alleged killings in Siddhirganj of Narayanganj and other parts of the country on May 6. The prosecution has included the incidents as alleged crimes against humanity.

On July 27, Tribunal-2 took cognisance of the formal charges against Hasina and the 40 others and scheduled August 16 for further proceedings concerning the arrest warrants and production of those already in custody.