Former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui on Thursday expressed frustration after the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) ordered him to jail in a crimes against humanity case linked to the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, saying, "Sentence me to death. I am ready to die. But the court did not want to hear me."

Latif was produced before International Crimes Tribunal-2 shortly after 1pm by the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB). Following the hearing, the tribunal ordered that he be sent to prison after showing him arrested in the case.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam told the tribunal that he had been arrested under a warrant and produced before the court.

"As the defence has not filed any petition for bail, we sought that the accused be sent to jail," the prosecutor submitted.

The tribunal accepted the prosecution's request. 

After the order, defence counsel Abdullah Al Harun Bhuiyan sought permission to obtain Latif's signature on the power of attorney and to speak with him in the holding cell. The tribunal allowed the request.

At that point, he stood up in the dock and picked up a microphone in an attempt to address the court. However, as the proceedings had already concluded, the judges did not hear his remarks.

Visibly frustrated, he said, "Alas, if this is how the court functions, where am I supposed to go?"

When police officers asked him to put down the microphone and escorted him towards the holding cell, Latif became agitated, saying, "Whether I sit or stand is my decision. Who are you to tell me?"

Krishak Sramik Janata League President Kader Siddiqui was present at the tribunal premises during the hearing.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said: "Latif's name is intertwined with the birth of this country. He is now 87 years old and could die naturally at any time. If the charges are proven, sentence him to death. If they are false, acquit him. But it is unacceptable to humiliate a valiant freedom fighter through conspiracy."

Latif was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch from his Gulshan residence on Wednesday evening.