Z I Khan Panna to defend Hasina in enforced disappearance cases

Supreme Court senior lawyer and the human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) Chairperson Zahirul Islam Khan Panna has been appointed as state defense to represent ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in two enforced disappearance cases at the International Crimes Tribunal-1.

The three-member bench, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, issued the appointment on Sunday (November 23).

Z I Khan Panna will now defend Sheikh Hasina and other absconding accused in cases filed over disappearances and torture during her previous government. He had previously expressed interest in representing her, including in August for a separate case related to human rights violations during the July 2023 unrest, but his earlier application was rejected.

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for December 3, during which charges will be framed in the two cases.

Earlier on Sunday, 13 army officers were produced before the tribunal. The officers include Brig. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam, former RAB Additional DG, Brig. Gen. Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brig. Gen. Md. Kamrul Hasan, Brig. Gen. Md. Mahabub Alam, Brig. KM Azad, Col. Abdullah Al Momen, Col. Anwar Latif Khan (on LPR), Lt. Col. Md. Moshiur Rahman, former Director of RAB Intelligence Wing, Lt. Col. Saiful Islam Sumon, Lt. Col. Md. Sarwar Bin Kashem, Maj. Gen. Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain, former DGFI Director, Brig. Gen. Md. Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui.