Trial of Enforced Disappearance begins: Hummam Quader testifies as first witness

Trial of Enforced Disappearance begins at ICT: Hummam Quader testifies as first witness

Hummam Quader Chowdhury today (19 January) has begun testifying in a crimes against humanity case over enforced disappearance and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League regime, implicating deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 other accused, including former and serving army officers.

The testimony started at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1), led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, along with two other members of the bench.

Humam Quader Chowdhury, son of executed BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, was abducted in 2016 and remained missing for nearly seven months before returning home in March 2017. During his deposition, he is expected to describe in detail the circumstances of his enforced disappearance and the torture he allegedly endured while in detention.

On 18 December, the tribunal framed five charges against 13 accused and ordered the commencement of the trial. The court also fixed 19 January for opening statements and the recording of witness testimony.

Of the 13 accused, three are currently in custody. They are former Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) director Major General Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Brigadier General Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddiqui. They were produced before the tribunal on Monday morning from a special jail inside Dhaka Cantonment. Ten other accused remain at large. Among them, five served as DGFI directors general at different times. They include retired Lieutenant General Mohammad Akbar Hossain, retired Major General Saiful Abedin, retired Lieutenant General Md Saiful Alam, retired Lieutenant General Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, and retired Major General Hamidul Haque.

The remaining accused are Sheikh Hasina’s former defence affairs adviser, retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique; former DGFI director, retired Major General Mohammad Touhidul Ul Islam; Major General Kabir Ahammed; and retired Lieutenant Colonel Mokhsurul Haque.

The case is considered one of the most significant proceedings before the tribunal, as it involves allegations of systematic enforced disappearances and torture carried out through the state security apparatus during the previous government’s tenure.

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