Tribunal-1 team to visit DGFI's JIC today

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 will inspect the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) at the headquarters of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) in Dhaka on Saturday (August 8) as part of proceedings in cases involving allegations of enforced disappearances and torture.

A tribunal delegation, accompanied by members of the prosecution and defence, is scheduled to visit the facility around 11:00am.

The inspection team will be led by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar and include members Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam and other members of the prosecution team will also accompany them.

Defence lawyers representing the accused have been permitted to take part in the inspection.

The prosecution said the visit has been arranged as part of the judicial proceedings in cases alleging crimes against humanity involving enforced disappearances and torture during the previous Awami League government.

The judges are expected to examine the facility firsthand to gain a clearer understanding of the locations and circumstances described in the allegations and to assess relevant evidence connected to the cases.

The visit follows an inspection on Aug. 1 of the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) Cell, commonly referred to as an "Aynaghar", at the headquarters of RAB-1 in Uttara.

During that inspection, the Tribunal-1 team examined 29 rooms, including seven cells reportedly used for detainees, to assess the physical environment relevant to allegations of detention and torture.

The prosecution said the JIC inspection will provide the tribunal with an opportunity to verify additional information and evidence relevant to the cases involving allegations of enforced disappearance and torture.