Fifth Witness to Testify in Hasina Case Today

The testimony of the fifth witness in a crimes against humanity case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture is scheduled to be recorded on Sunday.

The hearing will be held before a judicial panel of the International Crimes Tribunal led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

Earlier, the prosecution informed the tribunal that one witness would testify on June 14, although the individual’s identity has not been disclosed due to security concerns.

The testimony was initially set for June 3 but was later deferred following a request from the prosecution.

So far, four witnesses, including Member of Parliament Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, have testified in the case. The witness testimony process began on January 21 this year.

Among the 17 accused, 10 have been arrested and are currently being held at the sub-jail inside Dhaka Cantonment. They include several former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The seven absconding accused include former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former defence adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, former RAB chiefs M Khurshid Hossain and Barrister Harun Or Rashid, and former RAB director Lt Col (Retd) Md Khairul Islam.

The case centres on allegations of enforced disappearances and torture, with proceedings continuing before the tribunal.