Ziaul Ahsan to attend tribunal proceedings virtually over security concerns
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered that former army officer Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan remain in jail and attend trial proceedings virtually over security concerns in a crimes against humanity case involving allegations of enforced disappearances and killings.
The order was passed on Tuesday by a bench headed by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the accused had previously been brought to the tribunal in person on every scheduled hearing date. However, defence lawyer Naznin Nahar recently raised concerns about threats to his life.
On October 8, the defence sought permission for Ziaul Ahsan to travel in a prison van alongside other accused. The prosecution objected to the request on security grounds, arguing that security threats could affect all the accused, not just one individual.
The prosecution subsequently requested that he be allowed to participate in proceedings virtually while remaining in jail, citing the availability of audio-visual conferencing facilities at both the tribunal and the prison. The tribunal granted the request.
"Both the tribunal and the prison have the necessary technological facilities. Considering the accused's security concerns, the court has agreed to conduct the proceedings online while he remains in jail," Tamim said.
At Tuesday's hearing, the defence cross-examined investigation officer Md Rafiqul Islam, the 15th prosecution witness in the case.
Rafiqul's testimony concluded on October 8. During three consecutive days of testimony, he presented information about alleged wrongdoing by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and related forces during the Awami League government's tenure.
According to the investigation officer's testimony, administrative or executive investigations were staged to conceal extrajudicial killings, while police reports and autopsy reports were allegedly manipulated to conceal information and protect those responsible.
The prosecution has brought three specific charges against Ziaul Ahsan, citing more than 100 killings.
The first charge concerns the killing of three people, including Sajol, in Pubail under Gazipur Sadar police station on July 11, 2011, allegedly in Ziaul Ahsan's direct presence.
The second charge relates to the alleged killings of 50 people, including Nazrul and Mallik, in the Patharghata area of Barguna, near the mouth of the Baleshwar River, between 2010 and 2013.
The third charge concerns the alleged killings of another 50 people, including Masud, in the Sundarbans in Bagerhat and the Baleshwar River in Barguna between 2010 and 2013, under the pretext of combating forest bandits.
On December 17 last year, the tribunal took cognisance of three charges of crimes against humanity relating to enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government's tenure. The prosecution submitted the formal charges on the same day.
On December 23, Tribunal-1 ordered that Ziaul Ahsan be shown arrested and sent to jail.
The investigation officer's testimony began on September 30. Earlier, on September 27, the defence completed its cross-examination of the last eyewitness, former RAB officer Major (retd) Sabbir Rahman.
The cross-examination of the investigation officer is the latest stage in the ongoing proceedings.