Prosecutor Mizanul Islam has stated that the trial of dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan in the crimes against humanity case involving the enforced disappearance and murder of over a hundred people during the Awami League government may conclude next October. Responding to journalists' questions on Sunday, he said that based on the documentary evidence and eyewitness accounts presented in the case, it appears that Ziaul Ahsan could face the maximum punishment.
Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said that except for the abduction of Alkash Mollick (Majhi), eyewitnesses have been presented for every single incident in the case. Furthermore, these witnesses are none other than members of Ziaul Ahsan's own force, his subordinates, and senior officials. So far, they (the defense) have submitted a list of two witnesses. Whether they will testify will be known after the state's witnesses complete their testimony.
The prosecution believes that the state and witnesses have provided maximum cooperation to ensure justice for the 104 victims. With this cooperation, the prosecution has presented the case before the tribunal.
On January 14, International Crimes Tribunal-1 formally framed charges against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan in the crimes against humanity case concerning the disappearance and murder of over a hundred individuals during the Awami League regime.
The prosecution has brought three specific charges against Ziaul Ahsan in this case:
The killing of Sajal and three unidentified individuals on the night of July 11, 2011, near the Dhaka Bypass Road in Gazipur's Pubail area, under the planning and direct participation of Ziaul Ahsan.
The killing and disappearance of at least 50 people, including Nazrul Islam Mollick and Alkash Mollick, by shooting them between 2010 and 2013 near the estuary of the Baleshwar River close to Charduyani area of Pathorghata upazila in Barguna.
The killing of 50 people, including Masud, by shooting them between 2010 and 2013 in various areas of the Baleshwar River in Barguna and the Sundarbans in Sharankhola, Bagerhat, under the guise of suppressing so-called forest bandits.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Staff Reporter, Dhaka • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
