International Crimes Tribunal-1 has taken cognisance of charges and issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her defence affairs adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and 26 others in two cases related to enforced disappearances during the Awami League government.

The prosecution submitted the formal charges to the tribunal on Wednesday morning, following which the tribunal, after hearing, accepted the charges and ordered the arrest of the accused.

According to the prosecution, the first case involves allegations that during the long tenure of the Awami League government, several opposition figures were subjected to enforced disappearances and subsequently detained and tortured in secret Taskforce Interrogation (TFI) cells operated by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

Sheikh Hasina has been named the prime accused in the case, which has been classified as a crime against humanity.

In a separate case, the tribunal took cognisance of formal charges filed against four individuals — former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officer Lieutenant Colonel Redwanul Islam, Major Md Rafat Bin Alam Moon, former Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Khilgaon Division Md Rashedul Islam, and former Officer-in-Charge of Rampura Police Station Md Mashiur Rahman.  Arrest warrants have also been issued against them.

The case centres on the killings of 28 people in Rampura during the July–August 2024 anti-government movement. According to the investigation report, the accused allegedly led and carried out indiscriminate shootings on protesters, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

During the mass protests that swept across the country at the time, widespread killings and violence were reported. Witnesses and video footage reportedly show Lt Col Redwanul firing directly at demonstrators, while others are accused of playing leading roles in the attacks.

Following the investigation, the probe agency submitted formal reports to the tribunal, which have now led to the acceptance of charges and issuance of arrest warrants in both cases.