ICT issues warrants against Hasina, 11 others over enforced disappearances
The International Crimes Tribunal on Monday issued arrest warrants against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, former defence officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan, and eight others for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances.
The tribunal, comprising Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood, and retired district judge Md Mohitul Haq Anam Chowdhury, issued the warrants following a petition from the chief prosecutor.
The prosecution has been directed to report back to the tribunal by February 12 on the execution status of the warrants.
Among the accused, Ziaul Ahsan is already in custody at Dhaka Central Jail in connection with a crimes against humanity case related to the July-August massacres.
This development follows an earlier warrant issued against Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, during the mass student-led uprising. The earlier charges against her included crimes against humanity and genocide committed during the July-August period.
The commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances, in its first interim report submitted to the interim government’s chief adviser on December 14, 2024, stated that there is prima facie evidence linking Sheikh Hasina and senior officials from her administration, including Tarique Ahmed Siddique, to orchestrating incidents of enforced disappearances.
The commission reported receiving 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearances, of which 758 complaints were scrutinised. It estimated that the total number of victims of enforced disappearances might exceed 3,500.
Commission member Sazzad Hossain revealed that 23 per cent of the victims related to the scrutinised complaints remain missing, while 77 per cent had reappeared.
The tribunal’s move marks a significant step in addressing allegations of enforced disappearances during Hasina’s tenure, raising questions about accountability for these human rights violations.
News Courtesy:
New Age | ICT issues warrants against Hasina, 11 others over enforced disappearances
