Formal indictment order against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her defence adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui, and former and present 11 army officers in 'Aynaghar' case is likely to be delivered today (Thursday).
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1's judicial panel is likely to pass an order in this regard this morning.
On December 7 last, ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam presented his arguments for charge-framing, describing in detail the accounts of enforced disappearances and torture allegedly carried out inside the Joint Interrogation Cell.
He also placed before the tribunal evidence involving 26 individuals who were allegedly forcefully disappeared between 22 October 2015 and August 5, 2024.
The chief prosecutor brought five charges against Hasina and 12 accused army officials, and sought formal indictment, stating that the atrocities represented "extreme brutality".
During the hearing, the Chief Prosecutor said hundreds of people were abducted and tortured keeping inside the JIC cells. Twenty-six people including Abdullah Aman Azmi, Michael Chakma got released after torture. Sheikh Hasina used to give directive for enforced disappearances. Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui used to impelement Hasina's order through army officers.
Later, the lawyers concerned held hearing seeking exemption of Sheikh Hasina and other accused from the case.
Apart from Sheikh Hasina and Tarique Siddiqui, former five DGs and five directors and a former lieutenant colonel are the accused in the case.
They are They are: Major General Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, former DGFI director Brigadier General Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Majhar Siddiqui.
The remaining accused, including Sheikh Hasina, have been shown as absconding. They are: Hasina's former defence adviser Major General (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique; former DGFI director general Lt Gen (Retd) Mohammad Akbar Hossain; former DGFI director general Major General (Retd) Saiful Abedin; Lt Gen (Retd) Md Saiful Alam; former DGFI director general Lt Gen Tabrez Shams Chowdhury; former DGFI director general Major General (Retd) Hamidul Haque; Major General Towhidul Islam; Major General Kabir Ahmad; and Lt Colonel (Retd) Makhsurul Haque.
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