ICT orders trial of Hasina,16 others for enforced disappearance, torture at TFI cell

NN ONLINE:

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) -1 today ordered the commencement of trial by framing charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including 10 army officers, in a case for crimes against humanity involving enforced disappearance and torture at the Taskforce For Interrogation (TFI) cell during the Awami League regime.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, on behalf of the prosecution, prayed for framing of charges bringing four allegations against the accused. On the other hand, defence lawyers filed separate petitions seeking discharge of the accused from the case.

After hearing the arguments from both the sides, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder rejected the discharge petitions and passed the order. The tribunal has fixed January 21 for placing the opening statement and recording the witness testimonies.

Among the 17 accused in the case, 10 army officers have been arrested. They are: Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Tofail Mostafa Sarwar, Md Kamrul Hasan, Md Mahbub Alam and K M Azad; Colonel Abdullah Al Momen and Anwar Latif Khan (on pre-retirement leave), Lieutenant Colonel Md Mashiur Rahman, Saiful Islam Sumon and Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.

The seven absconding accused are ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her former defence adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, former RAB director general M Khurshid Hossain, former RAB director general Barrister Harun-or-Rashid and former RAB director Lieutenant Colonel (rtd) Md Khairul Islam.