Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 has issued an order for the incarceration of former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, following his arrest linked to a crimes against humanity case. This case pertains to the alleged massacre at a Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh rally at Shapla Chattar in 2013.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam represented the prosecution in court, informing the tribunal that Siddiqui had been detained under a warrant and brought before the court. With no applications filed by the defense, the prosecution requested an order for his imprisonment. The tribunal accepted the prosecution’s plea, officially showing Siddiqui as arrested in the case and ordered his transfer to prison.
Siddiqui was apprehended by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police at Gulshan on Wednesday night in connection to the case. Previously, the tribunal had acknowledged formal charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others. Arrest warrants were issued for 31 absconding defendants, including Siddiqui. The tribunal scheduled the next hearing for August 16 and instructed that the 10 accused currently jailed in various cases be produced before the tribunal on that date.
Prosecutor Mizanul detailed the allegations, stating that the then-government devised plans at multiple levels to disrupt the Hefazat grand rally and disperse its leaders and activists on May 5, 2013. He accused Siddiqui of attending a senior Awami League leaders’ meeting prior to the operation, with decisions from the meeting later presented to the then prime minister. The prosecution claims these decisions led to a joint operation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) against the unarmed crowd, resulting in 61 deaths, and implicates Siddiqui in the planning and decision-making process.
During the tribunal session, Siddiqui’s defense lawyer Abdullah Al Harun Bhuiyan requested permission to sign the okalatnama (power of attorney) for Siddiqui and sought approval to meet him in the tribunal lock-up. Both requests were granted. Siddiqui attempted to address the tribunal multiple times, expressing his frustration at not being heard. He later remarked on his willingness to face the death penalty, asserting his readiness to die, despite not being given the chance to voice this in court.
Latif Siddiqui’s brother, Kader Siddique, spoke to reporters, criticizing the inclusion of his brother in the case and emphasizing his right to address the court. He expressed that if Siddiqui is sentenced to death for an uncommitted crime, they would accept it, believing that divine justice would prevail. Kader Siddique dismissed accusations of his brother being involved in planning the Shapla Chattar operation, citing his role as the jute minister and existing controversies within the Awami League.
He likened handcuffs to bridal bangles, downplaying the stigma of arrest, and noted their familiarity with such situations. “There is nothing much to say about handcuffs. We have worn handcuffs many times. We do not consider it anything shameful. Just as a bride wears bangles during marriage, we see handcuffs in much the same way,” he remarked.