[🇧🇩] The International Crimes Tribunal-1----Charging Hasina and her accomplices

[Saif]

ICT-1 takes cognisance of charges against Ziaul

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday took cognisance of formal charges against former National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre director general and retired major general Ziaul Ahsan for his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killing more than 100 people...

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ICT-1 takes cognisance of charges against Ziaul
M Moneruzzaman 18 December, 2025, 00:18

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday took cognisance of formal charges against former National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre director general and retired major general Ziaul Ahsan for his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killing more than 100 people.

The prosecution alleged that the crimes were committed mainly between 2009 and 2016 while Ziaul Ahsan was serving in the Rapid Action Battalion and holding commanding positions.

Chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed the formal charge before the three-member tribunal and urged it to take cognisance of three charges against the accused.

After hearing the prosecution, the tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, took the charges into cognisance on three counts and ordered the authorities to produce Ziaul Ahsan before the tribunal on December 21.

Ziaul Ahsan is currently in jail in connection with several other cases.

According to the first charge, Ziaul Ahsan allegedly planned and directly participated in the killing of Sazal and three unidentified people in a shooting at the Pubail Bypass Road in Gazipur on July 11, 2011.

The second charge relates to the killing and enforced disappearance of at least 50 people, including Nazrul Islam Mollick and Alkash. The prosecution said that the victims were killed and their bodies were dumped at the confluence of the Baleshwar River at Charduani under Patharghata upazila in Barguna district between 2010 and 2013.

The third charge accuses Ziaul Ahsan of killing at least 50 people, including Masud, during alleged operations against so-called pirates in different areas of Sundarban in Sarankhola of Bagerhat between 2010 and 2013.

The prosecution told the tribunal that separate investigations were ongoing against Ziaul Ahsan for the alleged killing of at least 200 people whose bodies were dumped into the Shitalakhya and Buriganga rivers using the so-called ‘Gestapo’ or ‘golf’ method.

He is also accused of involvement in the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Chowdhury Alam, Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Golam Mortuza Mihir and two others in 2010, BNP leader Elias Ali and his driver Ansar Ali in 2012, and Adabor thana Islami Chhatra Shibir president Hafez Zakir Hossain, who was later killed in 2013.

The prosecution further alleged that Ziaul Ahsan was involved in the killing of at least 61 unarmed and apolitical Hefazat-e-Islam supporters during the May 5, 2013 crackdown at Shapla Chattar in the capital.

He is also a suspect of enforced disappearance of seven others, including BNP leader Sazedul Islam Suman, and of the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed and his subsequent deportation to India in 2015.

According to the prosecution, Ziaul Ahsan was additionally involved in abduction, torture, enforced disappearances and killings during the July-August mass uprising. These crimes were allegedly facilitated through digital surveillance while he was serving as head of the NTMC.

Asked to comment Ziaul Ahsan’s sister and his lawyer Naznin Nahar termed the allegations a ‘cinema script’ and alleged that the media aired them as part of a planned campaign.​

 

[Saif]

Bail for Hasina's followers defies judicial rules: Law adviser

Asif Nazrul cites threats to those involved with July uprising

www.thedailystar.net

Bail for Hasina's followers defies judicial rules: Law adviser
Asif Nazrul cites threats to those involved with July uprising

File photo

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said today that granting bail to followers of fugitive ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina would be inconsistent with judicial rules, citing her repeated threats against those involved in the July uprising.

Speaking to reporters after calling on Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at his Supreme Court office, Dr Nazrul said, "Granting bail to her party's followers would not be consistent with any rules of bail. Judges should consider that if someone who could potentially kill me is granted bail, the responsibility for that act could fall on them."

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He added that in his first meeting with the incoming chief justice, he would emphasise that bail must be granted only where it is a legally entitled right. "The situation has reached a point where, to protect our children, we must once again voice our concerns," he said.

Dr Nazrul also expressed gratitude to Chief Justice Refaat Ahmed on his last working day, praising his leadership during a crucial period. "In implementing judicial reforms aimed at fulfilling the expectations of the July uprising, he has played a guiding role," he noted.

The law adviser further said the chief justice had supported all laws enacted through the law ministry and had taken action whenever concerns were raised.

He pointed to the issue of certain High Court benches granting an unusual number of bail applications, saying he had repeatedly discussed the matter with the chief justice, who responded with measures as he deemed fit.

While acknowledging that the impact of such bail orders has somewhat reduced, Dr Nazrul said the problem persists. "When unusual bail is granted -- especially to dangerous individuals who could attack the leaders of the July uprising -- we feel extreme anxiety, fear, and concern," he remarked.

He clarified that the Law Ministry has no control over the High Court, stressing that its guardian is the chief justice.​

 

[Saif]

ICT starts trial of Hasina, Tarique Siddique, 11 DGFI officers over enforced disappearances

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday framed charges against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former defence adviser retired major general Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 11 other serving and retired army officials for their...

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ICT starts trial of Hasina, Tarique Siddique, 11 DGFI officers over enforced disappearances
Staff Correspondent 18 December, 2025, 15:28

Sheikh Hasina. | File photo

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday framed charges against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former defence adviser retired major general Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 11 other serving and retired army officials for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity, including abduction, detention and torture of people with dissenting views against the Awami League.

The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, framed charges against them after rejecting discharge petitions filed by the accused and set January 19 for the commencement of their trial through recording depositions of prosecution witnesses.

Besides Hasina and Tarique Siddique, the other accused are serving Major Generals Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain and Kabir Ahmed, and Brigadier Generals Mahbub Rahman Siddique and Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddique, and retired army officers lieutenant general Md Akbar Hossain (former DGFI director general), major general Md Saiful Abedin (former DGFI DG), lieutenant general Md Saiful Alam (former DGFI DG), lieutenant general Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury (former DGFI DG), major general Hamidul Huq (former DGFI DG), major general Mohammad Towhidul-Ul Islam (former DGFI director) and lieutenant colonel Mokhsurul Haq.

Three of the serving officers, Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Mahbub Rahman Siddique and Ahmed Tanvir Mazhar Siddique, are now detained and were produced before the tribunal. They were brought to the tribunal from the sub jail inside the Dhaka Cantonment amid tight security in an air-conditioned prison bus.

Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Siddique, serving army officer Kabir Ahmed and seven other retired army officers are still in hiding and will be tried in absentia.

The prosecution alleged that the crimes were committed at the Joint Interrogation Cell of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence inside Dhaka Cantonment.

According to the charges, 26 people, including former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam’s son and former brigadier general Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, Chittagong Hill Tracts-based UPDF leader Michael Chakma and executed BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury’s son Hummam Quader Chowdhury, were forcibly disappeared, abducted, tortured and illegally detained at the JIC between July 2, 2017 and March 4, 2020.

Earlier, chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam read out excerpts from the 81-page charge sheet against the 13 accused and urged the tribunal to frame charges against them for their superior command responsibility.

The prosecution said that the five former DGFI directors general were placed on forced retirement after the fall of the Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024 amid a student-led mass uprising.

The JIC case is the second enforced disappearance case linked to the Joint Interrogation Cell at the DGFI’s secret detention facility during the Awami League regime.

The ICT-1 is scheduled for December 21 to pass its order on charges of crimes against humanity against 17 accused allegedly involved in the second phase of abduction, detention and torture of people with dissenting views against the Awami League at the Task Force for Interrogation Cell run by the Rapid Action Battalion.

Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 14 former Rapid Action Battalion officers, including 11 army officers deputed to the RAB-1 and the three police officers deputed to RAB as directors general, are accused in the case.​

 

[Saif]

ICT defers decision on charges against Hasina, 11 army officers to Dec 23

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday deferred until December 23 its order on whether crimes against humanity charges will be framed against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, her former defence adviser...

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ICT defers decision on charges against Hasina, 11 army officers to Dec 23
Staff Correspondent 22 December, 2025, 00:03

Sheikh Hasina. | File photo

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday deferred until December 23 its order on whether crimes against humanity charges will be framed against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, her former defence adviser retired major general Tarique Siddique, 11 army officers and three senior police officers.

The 17 accused in the case are accused of superior command responsibility for enforced disappearances carried out through abduction, detention and torture at the Task Force for Interrogation of the Rapid Action Battalion headquarters in Dhaka.

Sunday was scheduled for giving the tribunal’s decision, but the newly appointed defence lawyer for the army officers, Munsurul Haque Chowdhury, sought time to place his legal submissions in support of a petition seeking their discharge.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, allowed him two days to submit his arguments before delivering its order on December 23.

Besides Hasina, Asaduzzaman and Tarique, the 11 army officers were serving as assistant directors general for operations at Rapid Action Battalion and the three police officers were serving as director generals of RAB at the time of the alleged offences during the Hasina-led Awami League regime.

The 10 detained army officers in the case are Colonel KM Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Lieutenant Colonel Mashiur Rahman Jewel, Brigadier General Kamrul Hasan, Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam, Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Lieutenant Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Lieutenant Colonel Sarwar Bin Kashem and Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Suman.

The absconding accused army officer is retired Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Khairul Islam, a former RAB intelligence chief who is now living in the United Kingdom.

The three former police officers accused in the case are also former RAB director generals during the AL regime. They are Benazir Ahmed, who is also a former inspector general of police, Khurshid Hossain and barrister Harun-or-Rashid.

On October 9, chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam submitted formal charges against the 17 accused.

During the hearing, Munsurul Haque Chowdhury argued that the duty roster of the ADG (Operations) did not assign responsibility for abduction, detention, or torture, while chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam countered that enforced disappearances were carried out under their command authority and such crimes are not kept in documents.

During the earlier hearing, the tribunal observed that it had found prima facie grounds to frame charges in the case against the 17 accused linked to the Task Force Interrogation, noting that the accused could not evade command responsibility for the enforced disappearances committed under their authority, with their knowledge and continuity of the crimes.

On December 3, the tribunal began hearing the case against the 17 accused for the enforced disappearance of 11 victims between May 23, 2016 and April 14, 2020 at RAB-1’ secret detention cell popularly known as TFI cell.

The accused in the case are linked to the enforced disappearance of 11 victims, including Supreme Court lawyer and executed war crimes convict Mir Quasem Ali’s son Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, Tajul Islam Suman, physician Ashik Ul Akbar, Mahmudul Hasan, Nur-e-Alam, Md Shariatullah, Md Rajibul Islam, Saiful Islam, Rizwanul Mahmud Anik, Md Foyez and Masrur Anwar Chowdhury, according to the charges.

On December 18, the same tribunal framed charges against Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 11 other serving and retired army officials for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity, including abduction, detention and torture of 26 people with dissenting views against the Awami League.​

 

[Saif]

ICT charges Hasina, 11 army officers, 5 others

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday framed crimes against humanity charges against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, her former defence adviser retired major general Tarique Siddique, 11 army officers...

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ICT charges Hasina, 11 army officers, 5 others

Tribunal cautions Tajul over repeated interruptions

M Moneruzzaman 23 December, 2025, 15:34

Sheikh Hasina. | File photo

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday framed crimes against humanity charges against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, her former defence adviser retired major general Tarique Siddique, 11 army officers and three senior police officers.

The three-judge tribunal chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder framed charges against the 17 accused who bore superior command responsibility for enforced disappearances carried out through abduction, detention and torture at the Task Force for Interrogation cell at the Rapid Action Battalion headquarters in Dhaka during the ousted Awami League regime between January 2009 and August 2024.

Asked by the tribunal whether they were guilty or not, all 10 detained army officers pleaded ‘not guilty’.

Seven other accused, including Hasina, Asaduzzaman, Tarique, a retired army officer and three former senior police officers, are still in hiding and will be tried in absentia.

The tribunal fixed January 21 for the commencement of their trial through opening statements by the prosecution and recording prosecution witnesses’ depositions.

The tribunal on the day cautioned chief prosecutor Tajul Islam for repeatedly interrupting the proceedings, saying the tribunal was not obliged to hear him at that stage.

The judges said that they expected restrained and professional conduct from Tajul.

The detained army officers are Colonel KM Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam, Lieutenant Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Lieutenant Colonel Sarwar Bin Kashem, Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Suman, Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brigadier General Kamrul Hassan and Lieutenant Colonel Moshiur Rahman Jewel.

Lawyer ABM Hamidul Mishnah appeared for three detained army officers, namely Tofayel, Kamrul and Moshiur, while lawyer Tabarak Hossain appeared for seven other detained army officers.

Besides Hasina, Asaduzzaman and Tarique, the other absconding accused are retired lieutenant colonel Muhammad Khairul Islam, a former RAB intelligence chief now believed to be living in the United Kingdom, and three former police officers - Benazir Ahmed, a former inspector general of police, Khurshid Hossain and barrister Harun-or-Rashid, all former RAB director generals during the Awami League regime.

On December 3, the tribunal began hearing the case against the 17 accused for the enforced disappearance of 11 victims at RAB-1 secret detention cell, popularly known as TFI cell.

The 11 victims include Supreme Court lawyer and executed war crimes convict Mir Quasem Ali’s son Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, Tajul Islam Suman, physician Ashik Ul Akbar, Mahmudul Hasan, Nur-e-Alam, Md Shariatullah, Md Rajibul Islam, Saiful Islam, Rizwanul Mahmud Anik, Md Foyez and Masrur Anwar Chowdhury, according to the charges.

According to the charges regarding the detention and torture in TFI cell, 14 of the accused, acting under the authority of the then prime minister, her security adviser and the home minister, ordered the abduction, detention and torture of 11 Awami League dissidents through their subordinate officers.

Defence lawyer Tabarak Hossain told the tribunal that he had planned to file a review petition against the charge-framing order.

The tribunal heard sharp exchanges on a defence request for additional time to prepare for trial.

Tabarak sought three months, citing the volume of documents and 29 prosecution witnesses but the tribunal noted that the defence had already received the papers on November 25 and that the law allows only 21 days for preparation.

Chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam opposed the request, arguing that the defence was attempting to delay proceedings in a case that must be tried speedily under a special law.

Tribunal member Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood intervened repeatedly, asking both sides to maintain courtroom decorum and clarifying that the defence must be heard before the prosecution.

The tribunal told defence counsel that the defence had already received one month since November 25 for preparations, and that the additional four weeks granted would make it nearly two months in total.

The tribunal noted that the law allows only 21 days for preparation.

Tabarak argued that ensuring a fair trial required giving the defence adequate time.

Tajul Islam strongly opposed the request, saying that the tribunal could not grant time without hearing the prosecution.

During the exchange, tribunal member Justice Shofiul Alam Mahmood asked Tajul to maintain decorum, saying that he was speaking with excessive passion.

Tajul argued that the defence intended to file a review petition and that the tribunal should not remain idle while waiting for such a filing.

He requested the tribunal to sign the charge-framing order immediately so that the defence could file the review the following day.

The judge responded that the tribunal had not yet formed any opinion on granting time and questioned why the prosecutor repeatedly interrupted the defence during submissions.

The judge said that the defence must be heard first.

Tajul insisted that time could not be granted without hearing him and urged the tribunal to consider the suffering of victims of enforced disappearance.

He said that the case was being tried under a special law and must proceed speedily, alleging that the defence was trying to delay the trial.

When Tajul referred to past practices of the tribunal, the chairman said that those issues were grievances of the past and would not be repeated.

He added that the tribunal would not adopt a rigid approach.

The tribunal chairman also said that no adjournments would be allowed after beginning the trial.

Tajul further told the tribunal that prosecution witnesses had received death threats and added that justice should not be delayed.

Responding to defence claims that the tribunal was trying the army as an institution, Tajul said the case concerned individual officers for alleged crimes committed while serving at DGFI and the RAB.

During Tajul’s submission, Tabarak stood up, prompting Tajul to ask him to sit down.

Tabarak later complained to the tribunal, urging it to maintain courtroom decorum and stating that the prosecution should not speak to him in a rude manner.

Tajul also criticised Hasan Imam, a tribunal-appointed state defence lawyer for the fugitive accused, when he sought additional time.

Tajul said that as a state-appointed lawyer, Imam should assist the tribunal rather than seek delays.

At the end of the hearing, the tribunal chairman urged both the defence and the prosecution to refrain from such conduct in the future and to maintain discipline in court.

On December 18, the same tribunal framed charges against Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 11 other serving and retired army officials for their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity, including abduction, detention and torture of 26 people with dissenting views against the Awami League.​

 

[Saif]

ICT sets January 20 to deliver verdict

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday set January 20 to deliver the verdict in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of six protesters at Chankharpool during the July 2024 mass uprising...

www.newagebd.net

CHANKHARPOOL KILLINGS

ICT sets January 20 to deliver verdict

Staff Correspondent 25 December, 2025, 00:14

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday set January 20 to deliver the verdict in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of six protesters at Chankharpool during the July 2024 mass uprising.

The case is against former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, four senior police officers, and three constables.

The seven other accused include former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Ramna assistant deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhterul Islam, former Ramna assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul, Shahbagh police station inspector (operations) Ashrad Hossain, and suspended constables Sujan Hossain, Imaz Hossain Imon, and Nasirul Islam.

Of them, Ashrad, and suspended constables Sujan Hossain, Imaz Hossain Imon, and Nasirul Islam are in jail.

The remaining four are still in hiding and were tried in absentia.

The three-judge tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, fixed the date after completing closing arguments.

The prosecution sought the death penalty for all eight accused.

The defence lawyers sought their clients’ acquittal, arguing that the accused had no command responsibility and acted under orders.

This will be the second verdict among the 13 July uprising cases pending before the two tribunals for trials.

Although deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and detained former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun were named as conspirators in the Chankharpool killings, they were not included in this case because they are already accused in a separate case over superior command responsibility for the July incidents. On November 17, Hasina and Asaduzzaman were tried in absentia and sentenced to death, while Mamun, who became a state witness, was jailed for five years.

According to the charge sheet, senior police officials allegedly ordered, abetted, and facilitated the shootings, while constables carried out the firing that left six protesters dead on August 5, 2024 when Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid student-led mass uprising.

The victims of the August 5 shooting are Shahriar Khan Anas, a class X student who left behind a heartbreaking letter to his mother, Sheikh Mahadi Hasan Zunayed who is also known as Mostakin, Mohammad Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Mohammad Ismail Haque, and Manik Mia, also known as Saharik Chowdhury.

Anas, the very young student, left his Gandaria residence that morning after writing, ‘I cannot stay at home while people from all walks of life have joined the July uprising,’ according to the case.

26 prosecution witnesses, including Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, recently resigned adviser for the ministry of local government, rural development and cooperatives, who is also an organiser of the mass uprising, testified in the tribunal during the trial.

Video evidence was also submitted during the trial.

The prosecution alleged that the police failed to prevent attacks on protesters and, in some instances, facilitated them.​

 

[Saif]

ICT prosecution seeks trial of ex-NTMC chief Ziaul Ahsan

The International Crimes Tribunal’s prosecution has sought to begin the trial of retired major general Ziaul Ahsan, former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center, by framing charges over his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and...

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ICT prosecution seeks trial of ex-NTMC chief Ziaul Ahsan

Staff Correspondent 05 January, 2026, 00:16

Ziaul Ahsan.

The International Crimes Tribunal’s prosecution has sought to begin the trial of retired major general Ziaul Ahsan, former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center, by framing charges over his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and the killing of more than 100 people.

Chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam made the prayer before the ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, after reading out three specific charges against Ziaul.


The tribunal set January 8 for further hearing.

Ziaul Ahsan’s lawyer and his sister, Nazneen Nahar, sought time, saying that they needed to review the video evidence submitted by the prosecution.

The defence lawyer said that they would file a discharge petition after examining the videos.

On December 17, 2025, the ICT-1 took cognisance of formal charges against Ziaul Ahsan in which the prosecution alleged that the crimes were committed between 2009 and 2016 while Ziaul was serving in the Rapid Action Battalion and holding commanding positions.

According to the first charge, Ziaul Ahsan allegedly planned and participated in the killing of Sazal and three unidentified people in a shooting at the Pubail Bypass Road in Gazipur on July 11, 2011.

The second charge relates to the killing and enforced disappearance of at least 50 people, including Nazrul Islam Mollick and Alkash. The prosecution said that the victims were killed and their bodies were dumped at the confluence of the Baleshwar River at Charduani under Patharghata upazila in Barguna district between 2010 and 2013.

The third charge accuses Ziaul Ahsan of killing at least 50 people, including Masud, during alleged operations against so-called pirates in different areas of Sundarban in Sarankhola of Bagerhat between 2010 and 2013.

The prosecution told the tribunal that separate investigations were ongoing against Ziaul for the alleged killing of at least 200 people whose bodies were dumped into the Shitalakhya and Buriganga rivers using the so-called ‘Gestapo’ or ‘golf’ method.


He is also accused of involvement in the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Chowdhury Alam, Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Golam Mortuza Mihir and two others in 2010, BNP leader Elias Ali and his driver Ansar Ali in 2012, and Adabor thana Islami Chhatra Shibir president Hafez Zakir Hossain, who was later killed in 2013.Political party merchandise

The prosecution further alleged that Ziaul Ahsan was involved in the killing of at least 61 unarmed and apolitical Hefazat-e-Islam supporters during the May 5, 2013 crackdown at Shapla Chattar in the capital.

He is also a suspect of enforced disappearance of seven others, including BNP leader Sazedul Islam Suman, and of the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed and his subsequent deportation to India in 2015.

According to the prosecution, Ziaul Ahsan was additionally involved in abduction, torture, enforced disappearances and killings during the July-August mass uprising. These crimes were allegedly facilitated through digital surveillance while he was serving as the head of the NTMC.​

 

[Saif]

ICT grants first bail in July Uprising crimes against humanity case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday granted bail to an accused for the first time in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year. The accused, Humayun Kabir Patwary, served as president of the Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Awami League and chairma

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ICT grants first bail in July Uprising crimes against humanity case

UNB
Published :
Jan 11, 2026 22:57
Updated :
Jan 11, 2026 22:57

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday granted bail to an accused for the first time in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year.

The accused, Humayun Kabir Patwary, served as president of the Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Awami League and chairman of Charruhita Union Parishad in the same upazila.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, granted the bail on health grounds, citing the accused’s serious illness, said Prosecutor Mizanul Islam.

The other members of the tribunal are Judges Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

In his bail petition, Patwary’s lawyer said his client is suffering from liver cirrhosis and noted that two of his brothers had died of the same disease.

During the hearing, the tribunal sought the prosecution’s view. Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam said a medical report confirming serious illness had been submitted, making it difficult to oppose the bail request.

He, however, urged that strict conditions be imposed to prevent the accused from contacting other suspects in crimes against humanity cases.

The tribunal granted bail subject to several conditions, including that the accused must provide his residential address, refrain from making any statements to the media or on social media, not change his residence without informing the investigation officer and the tribunal registrar, and must not influence evidence or witnesses.

The tribunal warned that any violation of the conditions would result in immediate arrest and cancellation of bail.

The interim government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal to try crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the anti-discrimination student movement in July last year. The reconstituted tribunal began functioning in October 2024.

Humayun Kabir was arrested in Dhaka in August 2024 following the ouster of the Awami League government.

A total of four people were arrested in connection with the crimes against humanity case in Lakshmipur, and Patwary has now been granted bail.​

 

[Saif]

ICT charges Salman, Anisul

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday framed charges of crimes against humanity against former prime minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq for their alleged involvement in the crackdown on protesters during...

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ICT charges Salman, Anisul

Trial to begin on Feb 10

Staff Correspondent 13 January, 2026, 00:48

From left, Salman Fazlur Rahman and Anisul Haque. | BSS Photo

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday framed charges of crimes against humanity against former prime minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq for their alleged involvement in the crackdown on protesters during the July 2024 uprising.

The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, set February 10 to begin their trial through opening statements by the prosecution.


The tribunal passed the order after rejecting the discharge petitions filed by both accused.

Detained on August 13, 2024, Salman and Anisul were in the dock. The tribunal read out all five charges to them.

Asked by the tribunal whether they were guilty or not, they pleaded ‘not guilty’.

They are also facing multiple cases related to the July uprising.

Five counts of charges against Salman and Anisul include allegations of provocation, abetment and facilitation of the killing of 16 people and injuries to others.

According to the prosecution, the violence was carried out by Awami League activists using lethal weapons at Mirpur-2, Mirpur-10, Jhut Palli at Mirpur-13 and Mirpur-14 on August 5, 2024 to prevent the protesters’ ‘March to Dhaka’ programme.

According to the prosecution, Anisul advised Salman to suppress the student-led movement and supported the imposition of curfew.

The prosecution submitted formal charges against the two on December 4, 2025.

According to the charge sheet, Salman and Anisul held a telephone conversation minutes before 9:30pm on July 19, 2024 during which they discussed strategies to stop the movement and agreed in principle on imposing a curfew.

It also alleged that Salman played a role in the detention, killing, or release of political opponents from ‘secret detention facilities’ operated by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence and the Rapid Action Battalion-1 headquarters.

According to the prosecution, on July 22, 2024, Salman met deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban along with a group of businessmen, where they expressed support for the crackdown on protesters, including killings, torture and repression.

Earlier, on December 22, 2025, the chief prosecutor requested the tribunal to frame charges against Salman and Anisul for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.

Defence lawyer Munsurul Hoque Chowdhury sought their discharge, arguing that they did not have superior command responsibility to handle the student movement and acted only according to the rules of business as per their own ministries.

He said that the curfew was imposed by the respective superintendents of the police who were under the home ministry as a lawful step to control the mob.

Regarding the conversation between Salman and Anisul to contain the protesters and the movement, Munsurul argued that the conversation did not constitute any offence under the law.

He further argued that even if crimes against humanity had been committed during the July movement, Salman and Anisul bore no responsibility.

Arguing on the allegation against Anisul that he had a role in filing 286 cases against about 4,50,000 protesting students and people during the movement, leading to indiscriminate arrests and torture to stop the protests, defence lawyer Munsurul argued that it was not the law ministry’s affairs, it was the affairs of the home ministry.

On January 4, the tribunal kept on record the petitions filed by Salman and Anisul seeking permission to appoint foreign lawyers to defend them in the case.

The tribunal also kept on record another petition filed by Salman and Anisul, seeking examination by independent foreign experts of their alleged conversations relating to the July 2024 crackdown on protesting students.

Salman and Anisul submitted the plea for appointing foreign counsel on December 10, 2025.​