Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal’s prosecution team issued a warning to the army on Tuesday, stating that 15 serving officers could be labeled as “fugitives” if they did not appear in court on Wednesday. The prosecutor, Gazi MH Tamim, emphasized that if the officers failed to show up, new dates would be set, and notices would be published in newspapers. Tamim explained that under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, the accused officers could either voluntarily appear or be arrested and brought to the tribunal.
Earlier, the tribunal had issued arrest warrants against several former and current officers, with the police inspector general instructed to execute the order. The ICT-BD had issued arrest warrants against 16 serving army officers and 14 others, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances or abduction and torture of political dissidents. The army had stated that 15 of the 16 officers were taken into military custody after the warrants were issued.
Despite speculations, the army claimed they had not received any copies of the warrants and raised concerns about the officers’ trial under civil court jurisdiction rather than military law. The ICT-BD Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam urged the officers to appear in court, but the military did not heed the call. The government designated a building in Dhaka Cantonment as a temporary “prison,” causing unease among the public.
The army’s adjutant general, Major General Mohammad Hakimuzzaman, confirmed that 15 officers responded to the call to report to the army headquarters and were held in military custody. The 16th officer, a major general, was reported to be in hiding. The situation raised concerns among former military officers and analysts about the impact on the morale of armed forces personnel.
In a separate development, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party cautioned the interim government against antagonizing the army, emphasizing the need to maintain a good relationship with the armed forces. The party expressed concerns about potential imbalances within the armed forces ahead of the upcoming general elections.
The political landscape in Bangladesh has been tumultuous, with various factions vying for power. The ICT-BD’s role in prosecuting past regime leaders has stirred controversy and legal challenges. Despite these challenges, the country continues to navigate a complex political environment with ongoing protests and arrests of activists.