International Crimes Tribunal sets October 25 for probe report in disappearance case against Fazle Karim and Ziaul Ahsan
Photo Collected
International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set October 25 for the submission of the investigation report in a crimes against humanity case involving the enforced disappearance of the former chairman of Bagowan Union Parishad in Raozan, Chittagong. The court scheduled the date during a hearing on Sunday.
The case names two defendants: former Member of Parliament ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury and former military officer Ziaul Ahsan. Both individuals are currently in custody.
During the proceedings, prosecution lawyer BM Sultan Mahmud stated that Syed Abu Zafar, the former chairman of Bagowan Union Parishad, was subjected to enforced disappearance in 2010. The prosecution alleges that Ziaul Ahsan, who was serving in the Rapid Action Battalion at the time, carried out the disappearance under the direct orders of Fazle Karim Chowdhury.
In his defense, Rizwana Yusuf, the lawyer representing Fazle Karim Chowdhury, challenged the prosecution’s narrative. She argued that the charges failed to clarify the roles of the police or the local Rapid Action Battalion unit in Chittagong. She further contended that the victim, Abu Zafar, was a politician affiliated with the Awami League, asserting that there was no logical motive for Fazle Karim to order the disappearance of a fellow party member. The defense requested access to the case documentation, claiming they had not yet received the formal records supporting the allegations.
The tribunal ordered the prosecution to provide the defense team with copies of the allegations brought against the defendants.
Fazle Karim Chowdhury has a documented history in national politics, having been associated with the National Democratic Party prior to 1996. The party was founded by Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, who was later executed for war crimes; Fazle Karim is a cousin of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury. Although Fazle Karim sought and received the Awami League nomination in 1996, he lost that election before securing a parliamentary seat with the party in 2001. He subsequently served as a Member of Parliament representing the Awami League in 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024, winning his seats in 2014 and 2018 without contest.
0%
0%
0%
0%
