Arrest warrants issued against 12 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in a case of abduction.

Arrest warrants issued against 12 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in a case of abduction.

Sheikh Hasina | File Photo

An arrest warrant has been issued against 12 individuals, including the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with charges of forcible abductions. The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the accused to be arrested and presented in court by February 12.

This order was issued this morning by the Chief Justice of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Golam Mortuza Majumdar, and member Mohammad Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. They stated that the arrest of the accused is necessary for a proper and effective investigation. They also directed that effective measures be taken to arrest the former Inspector General of Police.

Today, Monday, Mohammad Tajul Islam, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal, has filed a case against 12 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, regarding the incidents of enforced disappearances during the Awami League's rule. During the hearing, he stated that enforced disappearances occurred under the direct supervision of Sheikh Hasina, and she has been presented as having 'superior responsibility' for these acts. Those who were released after being disappeared were freed by Sheikh Hasina's orders. These disappearances took place to secure the power of one individual.

For the purpose of the hearing, the Chief Prosecutor did not disclose the names of all the accused, but the names of Sheikh Hasina and three other accused were mentioned. The other three accused are former Prime Minister's defense advisor Major General (Retd.) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former IGP of Police Benazir Ahmed, and the former Director General of the National Telecommunications Monitoring Center, Ziaul Ahsan. Ziaul Ahsan is currently in custody in another case.

The hearing also mentioned that some members of the forces were involved in the crime of enforced disappearances due to the temptation of being sent on UN missions or receiving promotions.

So far, three cases have been filed in the International Criminal Tribunal regarding the enforced disappearances during the Awami League's rule. Arrest warrants have been issued in these cases, and through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), a search for Sheikh Hasina has been initiated.