Bangladesh Tribunal Warns Army Officers of Fugitive Status If Not Presented in Court

The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh has warned that 15 serving army officers will be declared fugitives if they fail to appear in court. Arrest warrants have been issued for several officers regarding serious allegations from the past regime.

The prosecution team of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) has issued a warning to the army. Fifteen serving officers must appear in court on Wednesday or face being declared "fugitives." "If they fail to appear or are not produced tomorrow, the tribunal will set a new date, and notices with their summons will be published in two newspapers. Non-appearance on that date would lead to them being declared absconding," ICT-BD Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told reporters.

On October 8, the ICT-BD issued arrest warrants for 16 serving army officers and 14 others, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They are accused of involvement in "enforced disappearances or abduction and torture of political dissidents" during the previous Awami League regime. The police inspector general was tasked with executing these orders, and copies were sent to the armed forces' heads.

Military Custody and Legal Proceedings

The army revealed on October 11 that they had taken 15 of the 16 officers into "military custody" soon after the warrants were issued. However, they claimed not to have received any official copies of the warrants. This situation has sparked speculation about whether these officers will be tried under the ICT-BD Act in a civil court rather than through a court-martial under military law.

Major General Mohammad Hakimuzzaman stated during a press conference that 16 officers were instructed to report to army headquarters, with 15 complying. He noted that actions were taken even before receiving the warrants but did not clarify if they would be presented before the ICT-BD. The Army Act does not apply to nine retired officers, so police may act on those warrants.

Political Reactions and Concerns

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has cautioned interim government chief Muhammad Yunus against straining relations with the army. Salahuddin Ahmed, a BNP standing committee member, expressed concerns about potential instability within the armed forces, especially with general elections scheduled for February next year.

"We BNP want you to maintain a good relation with the armed forces… we don’t want to draw any risk as we will not be able to afford it," Ahmed told Yunus during a meeting with political parties. He emphasised avoiding any "imbalance in the armed forces" due to current circumstances.

Background and Current Developments

A student-led movement known as the July Uprising forced the Awami League government out on August 5, 2024. Hasina left for India, and three days later, Yunus returned from Paris to lead an interim government. His administration amended the ICT-BD law to prosecute leaders of the previous regime, appointing Tajul Islam as chief prosecutor.

The ICT-BD was initially established by a prior government to prosecute collaborators of Pakistani troops during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Tajul Islam played a significant role as a lawyer defending those accused at that time.

Many Awami League leaders and key figures from the past government are currently imprisoned or evading capture both domestically and internationally. Despite this, supporters continue to demonstrate their presence through flash street marches in Dhaka and other areas. On Tuesday, several such marches occurred in Dhaka, resulting in at least six arrests by police.

The government has designated a building within Dhaka Cantonment as a temporary "prison," though its purpose remains unclear. This development has contributed to an atmosphere of unease regarding the impending trials.

With inputs from PTI