The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Bangladesh has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 senior military officers over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture during her administration. The tribunal issued the order on Thursday after formal charges were framed, following hearings earlier in December.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam presented five charges of crimes against humanity, urging the court to begin the trial, while defense counsel Azizur Rahman Dulu sought acquittal for the accused. Among the 13 defendants, three former Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) directors are currently in custody, while several others, including Hasina and her former security adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, remain at large.

The case, centered on alleged abuses within the JIC Cell or “Aynaghar” detention facility, marks a rare instance of high-level accountability proceedings in Bangladesh. Legal analysts suggest the trial could have significant political and institutional implications, potentially reshaping discussions about state responsibility for past human rights violations.