Why Did Bangladesh’s ICT Jail 15 Army Officers for Enforced Disappearances and Killings?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 15 army officers sentenced to jail over serious allegations.
- Charges include enforced disappearances and killings.
- Former PM criticizes the legality of the current government.
- ICT aims to address historical human rights violations.
- Overall implications for justice in Bangladesh are significant.
Dhaka, Oct 22 (NationPress) The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has ordered the incarceration of 15 army officers in connection with three distinct cases involving enforced disappearances, killings, and other crimes against humanity, allegedly carried out during the tenure of the Awami League government, according to local media sources.
This directive was issued on Wednesday morning by a three-member panel of ICT-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, following the examination of a petition.
It has been reported that the implicated officers requested bail, but the tribunal dismissed these requests and mandated their detention.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam confirmed the developments, stating, “The tribunal has mandated that the 15 army officers presented today in relation to the enforced disappearance and murder cases be remanded to jail.”
The prosecution has indicated that a total of 34 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are associated with the three cases, with 15 out of 25 army officers currently detained, as reported by the Bangladeshi news outlet UNB.
Previously, on October 11, the Bangladesh Army headquarters revealed that these 15 officers had been placed in military custody following formal charges in the ICT.
During a press briefing at Dhaka Cantonment, the army announced that a total of 25 current and former military officials have been charged, with nine of them being retired or suspended.
“Currently, 15 accused officers are in army custody, while one officer remains missing after leaving his home one morning. Efforts are ongoing to locate him,” stated Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, adjutant general of the Bangladesh Army, as quoted by The Business Standard.
Last week, former Prime Minister Hasina voiced strong opposition to the arrests of the army personnel, asserting that there is no rule of law in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus.
“I am astonished at the expectation that the army should surrender these officers to legal authorities. Where is the law? This government is illegitimate, and all its actions are unlawful. Why should these officers be handed over to such a regime?” she questioned in a virtual meeting with party leaders from Naogaon.
Commenting on the ICT, Hasina further remarked, “We established the tribunal to prosecute those who opposed Bangladesh’s independence. However, the laws have been amended to such an extent that it has transformed into a ‘Yunus Court’ or ‘Jamaat Court’—a judicial body dominated by war criminals.”