15 accused army officers still in service ICT prosecutor

Staff Reporter  :

Fifteen of the 25 army officers charged in three separate crimes against humanity cases remain in active duty, said International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim.

He made the disclosure while briefing reporters at the tribunal premises on Sunday.

On October 22, the 15 officers, who had been in military custody, were produced before the tribunal, which ordered their transfer to jail. They were later shifted to a sub-jail inside Dhaka Cantonment.

When a journalist asked, “You are describing them as serving officers, but according to the amended law, once formal charges are framed, they cannot continue in service. So, have they been officially dismissed or not?”

Prosecutor Tamim responded, “The law is clear on that matter. It’s now up to the army headquarters to decide when to enforce it. Until then, they are technically considered serving officers.”

Two of the three cases concern crimes against humanity – enforced disappearances and torture – allegedly committed during the previous Awami League government. The third case involves crimes committed amid

the July Uprising in Dhaka’s Rampura and Banasree areas.
Of the 25 accused officers, one is currently on post-retirement leave and nine have already retired.

Hearing dates revised The hearings for the two cases relating to enforced disappearances and torture were initially scheduled for November 20.

Prosecutor Tamim said the prosecution submitted a petition today seeking a date change due to internal issues. The tribunal approved the request and set November 23 as the new date.

In the case concerning crimes during the July Uprising in Rampura – involving two army officers – the previous hearing date of November 5 has also been postponed to November 24, Tamim added.