Dhaka, October 22 — The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered 15 current and former army officers to be sent to jail in connection with two cases involving enforced disappearances, killings, and torture allegedly carried out by the TFI-JIC cell during the Awami League government’s tenure.
Confirming the development, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said, “The tribunal has directed that the 15 army officers, who were produced before the court today, be sent to jail in connection with the enforced disappearance and murder cases.”
When asked where the detainees would be held, Tajul Islam said, “It depends entirely on the prison authorities. They will decide whether to keep the accused in the central jail, the temporary jail inside the cantonment, or transfer them to Chattogram jail.”
He added that the tribunal has set November 20 as the next hearing date. The court has also ordered the arrest and production of fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other absconding accused before the tribunal.
According to Tajul Islam, several lawyers had informally discussed potential bail petitions with the accused officers. However, the tribunal clarified that no bail applications were heard on Monday. “The court stated that formal bail petitions can be filed and will be heard on the next scheduled date,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the officers were brought under heavy security from a temporary jail inside the cantonment to Tribunal-1, presided over by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder.
