International Crimes Tribunal formally arrests nine former officials and journalists over 2013 Shapla Chattar violence
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International Crimes Tribunal-2 has formally ordered the arrest of nine high-profile figures, including former government ministers, senior police officials, and journalists, in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the May 5, 2013, crackdown on a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka.
The tribunal took cognizance of the formal charges on Sunday and ordered the arrest of the nine defendants, who were presented before the court for the first time. The accused include former minister Abdul Latif Siddique, former foreign minister Dipu Moni, former state minister for home affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, former Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque, and retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan. Also included are Shahriar Kabir, president of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, former Ekattor TV managing director Mozammel Babu, former chief reporter Farzana Rupa, and former police DIG Mohammad Abdul Jalil Mondal.
All nine individuals were already in custody regarding other cases involving crimes against humanity. According to tribunal sources, the legal process involved initiating miscellaneous cases to facilitate their arrest in this specific matter following the formal filing of charges.
The case involves a total of 41 defendants, among them ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former army chief General Aziz Ahmed. While most of the individuals brought before the tribunal on Sunday were present, two other defendants—former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu and former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaq—were not produced in court. The tribunal has ordered their presence at the next hearing, scheduled for September 3.
Prosecution officials informed the court that 30 of the 41 total defendants remain at large. Reports submitted to the tribunal indicate that authorities have been unable to apprehend 20 of these individuals, while the status of the remaining 10 is currently being processed. The tribunal has set September 3 as the deadline for law enforcement agencies to submit progress reports regarding the apprehension of the remaining fugitives.
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