ChargesInternational Crimes Tribunal issues public summons for Sheikh Hasina and other absconding accused
In a historic development, the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday ordered 15 army officers — previously held under military custody — to be sent to jail following their formal appearance before the court in cases involving enforced disappearances and other crimes against humanity.
The tribunal also instructed that public notices be issued in newspapers, summoning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several other absconding accused to appear before the court.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told reporters after the hearing that prison authorities will decide where the accused officers will be held. A special building inside a cantonment has already been declared a sub-jail by government order earlier this month, and it is widely believed that the officers may be kept there.
Tight Security and Early Morning Appearance
The 15 accused were brought to the tribunal premises at the old High Court building around 7:15 a.m. under heavy security. Law enforcement presence was visibly heightened in surrounding areas including Kakrail, Motsho Bhaban, Paltan, and Karwan Bazar.
The officers — all dressed in plain white clothes — arrived in a green prison bus marked “Bangladesh Jail”. Law enforcement officials from police, RAB, BGB, APBn, and the armed forces were deployed across the capital, maintaining strict vigilance since dawn.
According to tribunal sources, the officers are accused in two separate disappearance cases dating back to the Awami League government era, with some also charged in murder cases linked to the July–August 2024 mass uprising.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Statements
Following their court appearance, defense lawyer Barrister Md. Sarwar Hossain told the media that the officers had surrendered voluntarily, showing full respect for the law.
“They are innocent and ready to face trial. The real offenders have fled to India,” he said.
The defense filed three petitions, including for bail and for the accused to be held in the cantonment sub-jail during trial.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, hinted they may seek interrogation under safe home custody, pending court approval.
Earlier, on October 8, the tribunal had accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against the accused, instructing the Inspector General of Police to execute them. Two days later, on October 11, the army confirmed that 15 of its officers were taken into custody.
Who Are the Accused?
In the enforced disappearance and torture cases, the accused include several senior and retired officers of the Bangladesh Army and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Among them are:
- Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, former Additional DG of RAB
- 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 (now on retirement leave)
Also named are former intelligence officials including Lt. Colonel Md. Mashiur Rahman, Lt. Colonel Saiful Islam Suman, and Lt. Colonel Md. Sarwar Bin Kashem — all currently under army custody.
A separate case lists Sheikh Hasina, Tariq Ahmed Siddique, and several former DGFI chiefs among the accused, including:
- Major General (Retd.) Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain
- Brigadier General Md. Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui
- Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddiqui
- Lt. General (Retd.) Md. Akbar Hossain
- Major General (Retd.) Md. Saiful Abedin
- Lt. General (Retd.) Md. Saiful Alam
- Lt. General (Retd.) Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury
- Major General (Retd.) Hamidul Haque
Prosecution and Next Steps
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam confirmed that the tribunal has formally remanded the accused to jail custody. The Ministry of Home Affairs will now determine the specific detention facilities.
Prosecutor G.M.A. Tamim stated earlier that once the custody order is finalized, “the trial process will proceed under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, with hearings to begin soon.”
Legal analysts say the tribunal’s directive to issue public summons for absconding accused, including Sheikh Hasina and former RAB DG Benazir Ahmed, marks a precedent-setting moment in Bangladesh’s judicial history — the first time enforced disappearance cases have reached the ICT’s courtroom.
