The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set May 20 as the deadline for submitting the investigation report in a case accusing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others of enforced disappearances during the Awami League regime.
The date was fixed yesterday, said prosecutor and special investigating officer Tanvir Zoha.
On 6 January last year, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against the 11 accused in the case following an application by the prosecution. Among the accused are former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed and former prime minister’s security affairs adviser Tarique Siddiqui.
Prosecution sources alleged that enforced disappearances during the Awami League’s 15-year rule were carried out under Hasina’s direct supervision. They argued that the former premier must be held accountable under the doctrine of “superior responsibility.”
Even the release of individuals from secret custody was executed on her orders, sources said, adding that the disappearances were part of a strategy to consolidate absolute power.
Enforced disappearance is recognised as an international crime, prosecution sources said. During the Awami League government’s tenure, hundreds of people were subjected to years of inhuman torture in “Ayna Ghars” (mirror rooms), they alleged.
Police and intelligence officials were reportedly enticed with foreign postings and promotions for their involvement in the abductions. The prosecution said it aims to ensure accountability through a fair investigation and end the culture of impunity within the forces.
Two separate cases over enforced disappearances are currently being tried against Hasina at the tribunal.
Testimony is ongoing in two cases – one related to disappearances at the RAB’s Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell and another at the DGFI-run Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC).
In the JIC case, Hasina and 12 serving and former army officers face charges of crimes against humanity. In the TFI cell case, she and 17 others, including 10 army officers, are accused.
