Judges of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) are set to visit two alleged secret detention centres in Dhaka, commonly known as “Aynaghar”, amid allegations of enforced disappearances and torture.
The decision came on Tuesday following a prosecution application seeking an inspection of the two facilities – the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), reportedly operated by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) Cell, run by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
A three-member bench of the tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, will conduct the inspection. The other members are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, who appeared for the prosecution, also sought permission for the tribunal to visit alleged detention centres of RAB, DGFI and Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
During the hearing, he placed allegations that individuals with dissenting political views were picked up, detained and tortured at such facilities during the Awami League government’s rule.
The tribunal accepted the prosecution’s request and agreed to visit the locations.
After the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam told reporters that numerous cases of enforced disappearance had been reported during the Awami League’s tenure. He said those taken away were allegedly kept in different “Aynaghar” facilities, including the JIC and TFI cells.
He said a TFI cell had been identified at RAB-1, while a JIC facility was located at DGFI headquarters in Kachukhet. Several alleged detention rooms were also found at the DB office, he added.
The chief prosecutor said the tribunal would set the date for the inspection. The prosecution may be notified before the visit, which would be carried out jointly, he added.
The visit comes as the tribunal continues proceedings in cases involving allegations of enforced disappearances at JIC and TFI cells against former and serving military officials.
