Warrants for arrest of Hasina, 29 others sent to law enforcers

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sent warrants for arrest of 30 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in two cases over enforced disappearances to the inspector general of police, reports bdnews24.com.

Copies of the warrants were also sent to the offices of 12 senior figures in the government, military, and law enforcement.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam confirmed on Wednesday that the tribunal sent the warrants on Thursday afternoon to the police chief as well as the designated agencies.

The offices that received copies includes those of the chief of army staff, chief of general staff, adjutant general at Army Headquarters, director generals of both the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the National Security Intelligence (NSI), the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, the secretary to the Chief Advisor's Office, the director of military intelligence, the director of the Army Personnel Services Directorate, the commandant of the Army Security Unit, the provost marshal, and the commanding officer of the Army Military Police Unit.

On Wednesday, ICT-1 issued warrants for arrest of 17 people, including Hasina, in connection with crimes against humanity in the TFI cell disappearance case, and for 13 people, also including Hasina, in the JIC disappearance case. Prosecutors submitted formal charges in both cases the same day.

Following the tribunal's order, Tajul said once formal charges are filed, any accused still holding official positions are considered to have been removed from office under the tribunal's revised statute.