DHAKA — Former Bangladesh minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui created a dramatic scene inside the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Thursday after the court declined to allow him to address the bench in a crimes against humanity case linked to the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam crackdown at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar.
As the tribunal concluded the day’s proceedings and the judges prepared to leave the courtroom, Siddiqui repeatedly sought permission to speak from the dock. Holding a microphone, he attempted several times to draw the court’s attention, but the bench did not entertain his request.
Unable to address the tribunal, Siddiqui expressed frustration in open court.
“I wanted to tell the court to sentence me to death. I am prepared for death. But the court did not want to hear me,” he said while standing in the dock, according to people present in the courtroom.
Moments later, he continued, saying, “If this is the condition of the court, then where shall I go?” He again declared that he was ready to face the death penalty.
Police personnel then intervened as Siddiqui exchanged heated words with officers inside the courtroom. He was subsequently handcuffed and escorted out of the tribunal before being taken back to prison.
Produced Before ICT-2 in Shapla Chattar Case
Siddiqui was produced before ICT-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, in connection with a crimes against humanity case over the May 5, 2013, operation surrounding Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar.
Following the hearing, the tribunal ordered that Siddiqui be sent to jail in the case.
According to Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, ICT-2 earlier issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other absconding accused after taking cognizance of the formal charges in the case. Siddiqui, who is already in custody, is listed as Accused No. 10. The prosecution alleges that, as the then minister for textiles and jute, he was among those who planned the operation that led to the killings at Shapla Chattar.
The tribunal this week accepted formal charges against 41 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, over allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity arising from the May 2013 operation. It also ordered authorities to produce those already in custody and issued arrest warrants for the remaining absconding accused.
Brother Calls Case Unjust
Among those present in court was Siddiqui’s younger brother, veteran freedom fighter Abdul Kader Siddiqui, widely known as “Bangabir.”
Speaking to reporters outside the tribunal following the hearing, he claimed that his elder brother had been wrongfully implicated in the case.
“My elder brother has been implicated unjustly in this case. We will continue our legal battle,” Kader Siddiqui said.
He did not elaborate on the legal strategy but maintained that the family would contest the allegations through the judicial process.
Background of the Case
The case centers on the controversial law enforcement operation conducted on the night of May 5 and the early hours of May 6, 2013, when security forces dispersed thousands of Hefazat-e-Islam supporters gathered at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel commercial district.
The prosecution alleges that 58 people were killed in incidents connected to the operation at Shapla Chattar and other locations and has characterized the events as genocide and crimes against humanity. Formal charges have been brought against 41 individuals, including former ministers, senior military and police officials, politicians and others who allegedly participated in planning or executing the operation.
After the tribunal accepted the charges on July 27, Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam told reporters at the tribunal premises in Dhaka that the prosecution had submitted charges against 41 accused over crimes against humanity linked to the 2013 crackdown and that investigators had identified 58 victims.
The tribunal has fixed subsequent dates for further proceedings as the case moves toward the next stage of trial.
