13 army officers produced before ICT in enforced disappearance cases

Thirteen army officers accused of crimes against humanity were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) under tight security arrangements today Sunday.

They were produced around 10:00am before a three-member bench of ICT-1 headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar.

Sources said today's hearing involves two important cases related to enforced disappearances and torture at the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell and Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League regime.

The agenda includes submission of reports on revocation of arrest warrants and possible appointment of state defence lawyers for fugitive accused Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Earlier, on 8 October, the prosecution filed formal charges against 30 individuals in two separate cases. After framing charges, ICT-1 issued arrest warrants and fixed 22 October for hearing.

In the TFI case, 17 people including Sheikh Hasina were accused of torture in RAB's secret cell. The other accused are: former defence adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, former RAB DG M Khurshid Hossain, former RAB director general Barrister Harun-or-Rashid, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Brigadier General Jahangir Alam, Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, RAB officer KM Azad, Brigadier General Kamrul Hasan, Mahbub Alam, Abdullah Al Momen, Sarwar Bin Kashem, Khairul Islam, Moshiur Rahman Jewel and Saiful Islam Sumon. Ten army officers were produced before the tribunal on 22 October.

The 13 army officers currently in custody in the two cases are: former RAB Additional DG Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan, Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam, Brigadier KM Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan (on retirement leave), former RAB Intelligence Wing Director Lieutenant Colonel Md Moshiur Rahman, Lt Col Saiful Islam Sumon, Lt Col Md Sarwar Bin Kashem, former DGFI Director Major General Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Brigadier General Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui and Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddiqui.

On 12 October, the home ministry issued a gazette declaring a building in Dhaka Cantonment as a temporary jail. Following the tribunal's order, the officers have been kept there.