TFI Cell Case: Tribunal Sets Oct 13 for Next Testimony

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set October 13 for the next hearing of testimony in the crimes-against-humanity case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others over alleged enforced disappearances and secret detention at the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) Cell.

The tribunal passed the order on Thursday (October 1).

The seventh prosecution witness was scheduled to testify on Thursday. However, the witness did not appear before the tribunal. Following a time petition from the prosecution, the tribunal fixed October 13 for the next testimony.

The case involves allegations of enforced disappearances and secret detention at the TFI Cell operated by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) during the Awami League government.

Of the 17 accused, 10 are currently in custody at a sub-jail in Dhaka Cantonment. They are former RAB additional director generals Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan and Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam; former RAB additional director general Colonel KM Azad; former RAB additional directors general Colonel Abdullah Al Momen and Colonel Anwar Latif Khan; former RAB Intelligence Wing Director Colonel Md Mashiur Rahman Jewel; former Intelligence Wing Director Lieutenant Colonel Md Saiful Islam Sumon; and former Intelligence Wing Director Lieutenant Colonel Md Sarwar Bin Kashem.

The remaining seven accused are absconding. They are former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former RAB director general and former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, former RAB director generals M Khurshid Hossain and Harun-or-Rashid, and former RAB Intelligence Wing Director Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Muhammad Khairul Islam.

The tribunal framed charges against the 17 accused on December 23, 2025, after which the trial formally began. The case concerns allegations of abduction, enforced disappearance, secret detention and torture at the TFI Cell.

Earlier proceedings have included testimony from victims and other witnesses. In August, a physician who was allegedly detained at the TFI Cell testified before Tribunal-1 and was subsequently cross-examined by lawyers representing the accused.