Luna questions Ziaul Ahsan's VIP-style escort, law minister assures no repeat

Tahsina Rushdir Luna, wife of missing BNP leader Ilias Ali, has questioned the security arrangements and treatment given to former army officer Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan while being taken from prison to court, saying his escort appeared more like a ministerial convoy than the handling of an accused in serious criminal cases.

Responding to her concerns in parliament on Sunday, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman assured lawmakers that such an incident would not happen again.

The issue was raised during the fifth sitting of the fourth session of the Jatiya Sangsad, when Tahsina, a lawmaker from the Sylhet-2 constituency, drew the Speaker's attention to a photograph of Ziaul that went viral on social media last Thursday as he was being taken to court for questioning.

Ziaul, a former army officer facing multiple cases over enforced disappearances and murders, is currently standing trial before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

Referring to the photograph, Tahsina said Ziaul's gestures and demeanour gave the impression that he was on a pleasure trip, while the police accompanying him appeared to be providing him with special protocol.

"I was deeply hurt to see an accused in such serious crimes being taken to court without handcuffs or leg restraints," she said.

She added that many families affected by enforced disappearances and other crimes were concerned about the incident and questioned whether the government was able to keep the accused under proper control.

She also questioned whether the authorities were showing undue leniency towards someone accused of committing such grave crimes and sought an explanation from the law minister.

The Speaker said the issue did not qualify as a point of order but described it as important, allowing the law minister to respond if he wished.

Taking the floor, Asaduzzaman said the arrangements for transporting Ziaul to court did not fall within his jurisdiction as law minister.

However, after the matter came to the government's attention, Ziaul was subsequently brought to court in a manner appropriate for an accused facing such serious charges, he said.

"Such an incident will not be repeated within the court premises," the minister added.

Asaduzzaman also pledged that the government would pursue justice for all cases of enforced disappearances, murders and other crimes committed in Bangladesh, as well as deaths, disabilities and injuries sustained during the July uprising.

"We will move forward on the path of justice for every such incident. I renew this commitment before this honourable parliament," he said, seeking cooperation from lawmakers.

The minister said the government was committed to ensuring that the judicial process remained credible and free from predetermined verdicts.

He added that all available evidence against those brought before the International Crimes Tribunal was being presented, arguing that the evidence would be sufficient to secure convictions in any court or tribunal in the world.

"We are proceeding according to the standards of a fair trial and expect an appropriate sentence in his case as well. We are presenting evidence and documents before the court to ensure that justice is delivered," he said.