The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Sunday deferred its order on the commencement of trial proceedings in a case filed over enforced disappearances and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation Cell (TFI), to 23 December.
A three-member panel of Tribunal-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, passed the order.
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, three former directors general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and 11 serving and former army officers were named in the case.
During Sunday’s hearing, lawyers for three of the accused sought their clients’ acquittal from the case.
Meanwhile, 10 army officers who were arrested in connection with the case were produced before the tribunal.
Earlier, on 3 December, the prosecution concluded its hearing on the framing of formal charges. At the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam presented what he described as a grim account of enforced disappearances and torture at the TFI.
Defence lawyers representing the army officers argued that their clients were innocent and also sought their discharge from the case.
FP/MI
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