Ex-NTMC DG Ziaul Ahsan to attend tribunal hearings virtually over safety concerns

Former National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) director general Maj Gen (retd) Ziaul Ahsan will attend hearings virtually from prison in a crimes against humanity case involving allegations of more than 100 enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government, following concerns for his safety.

International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim informed journalists of the decision today (13 October), saying the tribunal had accepted the prosecution’s application to allow Ziaul to remain in prison and join proceedings through audio-visual conferencing.

Earlier, on 8 October, Ziaul’s lawyer Naznin Nahar raised concerns over how he was being transported from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj to the tribunal.

She said prisoners were usually brought to the tribunal together in the same vehicle, but Ziaul had been transported separately since 16 September.

“Suppose eight prisoners are to arrive from Keraniganj today; seven of these eight are brought in one vehicle, and Ziaul Ahsan alone is brought in a separate vehicle,” she said.

Describing the practice as a deep conspiracy, Nahar said she had asked the tribunal to ensure that Ziaul was transported with other prisoners. The tribunal had said it would consider the application.

Tamim said the application concerned the prison van used to transport Ziaul between the jail and the tribunal.

The prosecution had requested that other accused persons travel with him, citing fears that an untoward incident could occur during the journey.

He added that Ziaul had also spoken to the tribunal judge during a hearing, with permission, to express his concerns.

According to Tamim, Ziaul told the tribunal he feared that someone could stage an incident on the road and blame him for it.

After hearing his concerns, the tribunal sought the prosecution’s position. Tamim said the prosecution then requested that Ziaul remain in prison and attend hearings virtually rather than appear physically at the tribunal. The tribunal accepted the application, he said.