The International Crimes Tribunal-2 today ordered the Bangladesh Army to produce Major (retd) Md Muzaffar Hossain before it on July 23 in connection with a crimes against humanity case.

Muzaffar was handed over to the army after being arrested by Detective Branch (DB) police over his alleged role in the 1981 assassination of former president Ziaur Rahman.

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam told the tribunal that investigators had found information suggesting Muzaffar had telephone contact with Lt Gen (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury, an accused in the crimes against humanity case and a key figure in the army-backed caretaker government.

Following the prosecution's submission, the tribunal ordered the army authorities to produce Muzaffar before it on July 23.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Aminul alleged that Masud Uddin had been involved in a number of crimes against humanity since the 1/11 political changeover and maintained close ties with the "fascist government".

"We asked the tribunal to order Muzaffar's production in the case involving Masud Uddin so that we can examine his alleged links with the accused," the chief prosecutor said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said yesterday that Muzaffar was handed over to the army.