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The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered 30 fugitives, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former army chief Aziz Ahmed and former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, to surrender by September 16 in the Shapla Chattar killings case.
The tribunal also directed that notices be published in national newspapers asking the fugitives to appear before the court.The three-member panel, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, issued the order on Thursday (September 3).
Ten accused who have been arrested were produced before the tribunal in the morning. They include former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, former education minister Dipu Moni and writer Shahriar Kabir. Journalist Farzana Rupa was not brought to court due to illness.
On July 27, the tribunal took cognisance of formal charges against 41 people, including Sheikh Hasina, and issued arrest warrants for those who remain at large.
According to the prosecution, a planned crackdown was carried out on a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013, after electricity and internet connections were cut off. The prosecution says 61 people have so far been identified as having died in the incident, with 58 of the victims identified.
Other arrested accused include former minister Shamsul Haque Tuku, former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque, Abdul Jalil Mondal and journalist Mozammel Babu.