The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings after formally indicting ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 17 others on charges of crimes against humanity linked to enforced disappearances and torture at the RAB’s Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) cell.
The order was issued on Tuesday afternoon by a three-member bench of Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.
The prosecution team is led by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, alongside prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Sheikh Mahdi and others. Lawyers representing both the arrested and absconding accused were also present during the hearing.
The tribunal first rejected applications filed by defence lawyers seeking exemption and subsequently framed charges against all accused, thereby formally initiating the trial. The charges are now being read out to the arrested accused individually. Once this process is completed, the tribunal will set a date for opening statements and the recording of testimony, which is expected to be at least 21 days after the charges are framed.
Security around the tribunal premises and surrounding areas was tightened from early morning, with additional deployments of police, RAB, BGB and army personnel. After 10:00 am, police produced 10 army officers from Dhaka Cantonment’s special prison before the tribunal in a prison van.
Those produced include former RAB additional director general Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam; Brigadier General Tofail Mostafa Sarwar; Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan; Brigadier General Md Mahabub Alam; Colonel KM Azad; Colonel Abdullah Al Momen; Colonel Anwar Latif Khan (currently on retirement preparatory leave); former RAB intelligence director Colonel Md Mashiur Rahman; Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Sumon; and Lieutenant Colonel Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.
Seven accused, including Sheikh Hasina, remain absconding. Others yet to be arrested are former defence adviser Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddique; former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal; former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed; former RAB director general M Khurshid Hossain; former RAB DG Barrister Harun Or Rashid; and former RAB director Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Md Khairul Islam.
Earlier, December 21 had been fixed for passing orders on the framing of charges. However, senior lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury sought a further hearing on behalf of accused Tofail, Kamrul and Mashiur Jewel, requesting additional time. The tribunal later rescheduled the order for Tuesday. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam opposed the request, arguing that the defence was attempting to delay the proceedings.
On December 14, defence lawyers Hamidul Misbah and Tabarak Hossain argued for three arrested accused. State-appointed counsel M Hasan Imam appeared for Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and others, while lawyer Md Amir Hossain represented Sheikh Hasina. Defence lawyers sought acquittal on various grounds, while prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim urged the tribunal to move forward by framing charges.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam concluded arguments on charge framing on December 3, detailing alleged torture practices at the TFI cell and describing a pattern of enforced disappearances over several years. He told the tribunal that following August 5, 2024, a “new Bangladesh” had emerged after what he described as prolonged darkness marked by disappearances. According to the prosecution, victims either ended up in prison or were released after being held secretly for seven to eight years.
Earlier, on October 22, 10 officers in military custody were produced before the tribunal, after which Tribunal-1 ordered their arrest and incarceration. The tribunal also directed absconding accused to appear and publish notices in newspapers. When they failed to comply, state defence lawyers were appointed on their behalf. The prosecution filed the formal complaint in the case on October 8, leading to arrest warrants against 17 individuals.
