Bangladesh: In two cases of crimes against humanity linked to enforced disappearances and torture, 13 arrested military officials sought to appear in court virtually.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1, however, stood against the petition, stating that the law must apply equally to everyone.
If former Chief Justices are required to appear physically, there can be no special exemptions for military officers, the tribunal emphasized.
Presiding Judge Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, along with fellow tribunal member Justice Md. Mohitul Hoque Enam Chowdhury, made the remarks during Sunday’s proceedings. The tribunal also told the defense counsel that if they faced difficulties, they could request the government to withdraw the case.
Although the tribunal commented on the virtual appearance request, no formal order was issued. The next hearing is scheduled for December 3.
Chief Prosecutor’s Statement
After the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the arrested military officials had requested to appear virtually. He noted that the tribunal reaffirmed that the law is equal for all citizens.
“Former Chief Justices, retired ministers, and other accused regularly appear in person. There is no precedent to allow a virtual appearance for anyone in this context,” he said.
The tribunal, he added, would still hear the defense’s request formally.
Cases and Accused
The two cases concern crimes against humanity committed during enforced disappearances under the Awami League government.
In total, there are 28 accused, including 23 current and former military officials. Among them, 13 military officers are in custody while the remaining are fugitives. The arrested officials were brought to the tribunal at 10:00 am, with hearings beginning at 11:20 am.
The tribunal’s second-listed case involves enforced disappearance at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell, with 17 accused including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ten of the accused are in custody, including Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, Toffail Mostafa Sarwar, Md. Kamrul Hasan, Md. Mahbub Alam, K.M. Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Anwar Latif Khan (on pre-retirement leave), Lt. Colonel Md. Moshiur Rahman, Saiful Islam Sumon, and Md. Sarwar bin Kashem. Seven accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former advisor Tarik Ahmed Siddique, are fugitives. The formal charge hearing is scheduled for December 3.
The third case on the tribunal’s agenda involves enforced disappearance at JIC. Thirteen accused are named, including Sheikh Hasina, with three in custody: former DGFI directors Major General Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain, Brigadier General Md. Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqi, and Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddiqi. The remaining 10 accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Tarik Ahmed Siddique, remain fugitives. The formal charge hearing is scheduled for December 7.
Supreme Court senior lawyer Z.I. Khan Panna has been appointed as state counsel to represent fugitive Sheikh Hasina.
Tribunal Orders Removal of Disrespectful Content
The tribunal issued directives to remove disrespectful or mocking images, text, and posts targeting its judges from social and traditional media.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) have been instructed to ensure compliance.
The tribunal stressed that while media freedom is respected, content should not undermine the tribunal’s dignity or violate the law.
A compliance report must be submitted to the court by the BTRC chairman and Information Secretary within December 3.
Allegations of Irregular Interrogation
Lawyer Nazneen Nahar alleged that Major General (Retd.) Ziaul Ahsan was interrogated outside proper legal procedures, with investigation commission member Nabila Idris present.
The prosecution clarified that only officers involved in the investigation were present, and Nabila Idris was aware of the proceedings.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam stated that officers may involve anyone necessary for effective questioning, ensuring the accused face victims directly to elicit truthful statements.
Foreign Lawyer Appointment
Nazneen Nahar also applied to appoint a foreign lawyer for Ziaul Ahsan, and the tribunal allowed necessary signatures and procedural approvals from jail authorities to process the request according to legal norms.
ট্রাইব্যুনাল সেনা কর্মকর্তাদের ভার্চুয়াল হাজিরার সঙ্গে বিরোধী
দুইটি মানবতাবিরোধী অপরাধ মামলায় গ্রেপ্তার ১৩ সেনা কর্মকর্তার ভার্চুয়াল হাজিরার আবেদনের বিষয়ে আন্তর্জাতিক অপরাধ ট্রাইব্যুনাল-১ বিরোধী অবস্থান নিয়েছে।
ট্রাইব্যুনাল জানিয়েছে, আইন সবার জন্য সমানভাবে প্রযোজ্য এবং সাবেক প্রধান বিচারপতির মতো উচ্চপদস্থ ব্যক্তিরাও সশরীর হাজিরা দিতে বাধ্য।
ট্রাইব্যুনালের বিচারপতি মো. গোলাম মর্তূজা মজুমদারের নেতৃত্বে দুই সদস্যের বেঞ্চে আজ রোববার এ মন্তব্য করা হয়।
বিচারক মো. মোহিতুল হক এনাম চৌধুরীও উপস্থিত ছিলেন। ট্রাইব্যুনাল আসামিপক্ষকে জানিয়েছেন, অসুবিধা থাকলে তারা সরকারের কাছে মামলা তুলে নেওয়ার আবেদন করতে পারেন।
দুই মামলায় মোট ২৮ জন আসামি রয়েছেন, যার মধ্যে ২৩ জন বর্তমান ও সাবেক সেনা কর্মকর্তা। গ্রেপ্তার আছে ১৩ জন, বাকিরা পলাতক।
আগামী ৩ ও ৭ ডিসেম্বর এই দুই মামলায় আনুষ্ঠানিক অভিযোগ গঠনের শুনানি অনুষ্ঠিত হবে।
ট্রাইব্যুনাল আরও নির্দেশ দিয়েছে, বিচারকদের অবমাননাকর ছবি, লেখা ও ভিডিও সামাজিক যোগাযোগমাধ্যমসহ সব মাধ্যম থেকে অপসারণ করতে হবে। একই সঙ্গে মিডিয়াকে স্বাধীনতা রক্ষা করতে বলা হয়েছে।
আইনজীবী নাজনীন নাহারের অভিযোগ, গ্রেপ্তার জিয়াউল আহসানকে অনিয়মিতভাবে জিজ্ঞাসাবাদ করা হয়েছে।
প্রসিকিউশনের পক্ষ থেকে বলা হয়েছে, তদন্ত কার্যক্রমের অংশ হিসেবে প্রয়োজনীয় ব্যক্তির উপস্থিতি তদারকি করা হয়।
