Bangladesh's Tribunal Summons Ex-army Chief, 10 Former Ministers and Advisers to Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Banglesh 's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday summoned 20 individuals, including ex-army chief Ziaul Ahsan, 10 former ministers and two visers to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina , to appear before it next month in connection with alleged crimes against humanity and gecide during July-August uprising in country.

According to Banglesh interim government, at least 753 people were killed and thousands injured during uprising, which ICT prosecution team and interim government termed crimes against humanity and gecide. Over 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and gecide have been filed against Hasina and her party leers with ICT investigation ncy and prosecution team so far.

ICT directed authorities concerned to produce 20 people, including 10 former ministers and two visers to former prime minister Hasina, before it on vember 18, Daily Star newspaper reported.

order was issued by a three-member ICT bench led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, following an application from Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam.

accused list includes former ministers Faruq Khan, Rashed Khan Men, Hasanul Haq Inu, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, and Golam Dastagir Gazi. Also named are former visors to prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Tawfiq-e-Elahi and Salman F Rahman, former army chief Ahsan, former justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, and former home secretary Jahangir Alam, Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

On October 17, tribunal issued arrest warrants against Hasina and 45 ors, including her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and several of her former cabinet members.

ICT was formed by Hasina-led Awami League government in March 2010 to try perpetrators of crimes against humanity committed during 1971 Liberation War. It later formed ICT-2, and at least six Jamaat-e-Islami and leers of Hasina's arch rival Khaleeda Zia's BNP party were executed following judgments of two tribunals. tribunal remained dormant since mid-June after its chairman retired.

interim government led by Chief viser Muhamm Yunus reconstituted tribunal on October 12.

bel laureate Yunus, 84, became Banglesh's interim government's Chief viser on August 8 after Prime Minister Hasina fled to India on August 5 amidst student-led mass protests.