The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) today framed charges in a crimes against humanity case against 17 accused, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over allegations of enforced disappearances during the Awami League regime.
The three-member tribunal passed the order after reading out the four charges brought against the accused, which also include Hasina's former defence and security adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and 11 army officers.
Of the 17 accused, 10 former Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) officers from the army were produced before the tribunal during the proceedings.
Before framing the charges, the tribunal asked the accused present in the dock whether they pleaded guilty.
All ten stood up and pleaded not guilty. One of them told the court they expected justice through the tribunal.
The officers are Brig Gen Md Qamrul Hasan, Brig Gen Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brig Gen Md Mahbub Alam, Brig Gen Md Jahangir Alam, Col AKM Azad, Col Abdullah Al Momen, Col Md Sarwar Bin Kashem, Col Anowar Latif Khan, Lt Col Md Moshiur Rahman Jewel, and Lt Col Md Saiful Islam Sumon.
Later, the tribunal fixed January 21 for the opening statements.
According to the prosecution, 14 detainees were illegally confined and tortured at the TFI cell between 2016 and 2024.
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