Bangladesh: ICT issues arrest warrant against Hasina, 10 others

In Bangladesh, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today issued arrest warrants against 11 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former defence adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. The warrant is in connection with two cases related to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances during tenure of Awami League government in the last 15 years.

The tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder passed the order, allowing a plea from Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

In its directive, the tribunal ordered the authorities to arrest and produce Sheikh Hasina and the others before it by February 12.  It also ordered to produce Major General (sacked) Ziaul Ahsan, who is already behind bars after getting arrested in some other cases, on February 12 after showing him arrested in the case, reports BSS.

The names of others could not be revealed for the sake of the investigation, said Tajul Islam. So far, two cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina with the ICT.

Many victims and family members of the victims of alleged enforced disappearance were present at the tribunal at the time.