Judges of International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1), accompanied by prosecutors and defence lawyers, are inspecting the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) Cell, an alleged secret detention facility, or "Aynaghar", at Rab-1 headquarters in Dhaka.
The tribunal team entered the facility around 11:00am today and is inspecting its interior as part of the trial proceedings.
ICT prosecutors said the visit was arranged because many victims of enforced disappearance were allegedly detained and tortured at the facility for years.
Two crimes against humanity cases over enforced disappearances are currently being tried before the tribunal against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, and several former and serving army officers.
Earlier, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam requested the tribunal to inspect the alleged secret detention centres, arguing that such visits were necessary to ensure the fair adjudication of the cases.
Photo: Collected
According to the prosecution, one of the alleged facilities is located at Kochukhet, while another is at Rab-1 headquarters in Uttara. The tribunal is also scheduled to inspect the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC), allegedly operated by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), on August 4.
The tribunal chairman approved the inspections in principle.
At an earlier press briefing, the chief prosecutor said judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia had conducted similar site visits during trial proceedings. Referring to the ICT's Rules of Procedure, he said judges are empowered to inspect any place if they consider it necessary in the interest of a fair trial.
