Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal formally charged 17 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a crimes against humanity case related to enforced disappearances during the Awami League government. The charges were detailed by the three-member tribunal, which included Hasina’s former defence and security advisor, Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 11 army officers.
During the proceedings, 10 former Rapid Action Battalion officers among the accused were presented before the tribunal. All 10 officers pleaded not guilty when asked by the tribunal before the charges were framed. The tribunal has scheduled January 21 for the opening statements, as reported by Bangladesh’s leading newspaper The Daily Star.
This development follows a previous ruling by Bangladesh’s ICT on November 17, where Hasina was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity linked to demonstrations in July of the previous year. The tribunal also convicted two of Hasina’s aides, with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal receiving a death sentence and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state witness, being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
