Dhaka, Oct 08 (V7N) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has taken cognizance of formal charges filed against Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and her security adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddique, along with 30 others, in connection with two cases alleging enforced disappearances at the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) and Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League’s tenure.

On Wednesday (October 8), a three-member judicial panel led by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder issued arrest warrants for all the accused after reviewing the formal charges.

According to the tribunal order, 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Tariq Ahmed Siddique, have been accused in the TFI Cell disappearance case, while 13 others, including the same two, have been named in the JIC disappearance case. Both cases involve allegations of systematic abductions and custodial disappearances of political activists, students, and civilians.

A total of five distinct charges have been framed against the 30 accused across the two cases. Members of several victims’ families were present at the tribunal during the submission of the formal complaints.

END/SMA/AJ