Dhaka, Sep 24 (V7N)- The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is scheduled to hold a hearing today on framing charges against 11 accused, including ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of former Teknaf municipal councillor Ekramul Haque.

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday as the tribunal continues proceedings in the case involving Ekramul's 2018 death, which prosecutors allege was presented as a gunfight during an anti-narcotics operation.

Among the accused currently in custody and produced before the tribunal are former Cox's Bazar-4 MP Abdur Rahman Bodi, retired Brigadier General Miftauddin Ahmed, Brigadier General Mahbub Alam and former RAB Director General Colonel Mohammad Anwar Latif Khan. The tribunal sent the four to jail after showing them arrested in the case in August.

Seven other accused remain fugitives, including Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed.

The other fugitive accused include retired Major Ruhul Amin, Lieutenant Commander Ashek ur Rahman and former DGFI officer Squadron Leader Najmus Sakib Mahmud. The tribunal previously directed authorities to publish notices asking the fugitives to surrender.

The government has appointed lawyers to represent the accused who remain at large, according to the case proceedings.

The prosecution filed formal charges against all 11 accused in July, and ICT-2 subsequently took cognisance of the case. Prosecutors said the charges concern unlawful detention, abduction, the staging of a gunfight, murder, and alleged abetment, instigation and orders relating to Ekramul's killing.

According to the prosecution's case, Ekramul was picked up from a road in Teknaf on May 26, 2018, and was later killed in an incident described by authorities at the time as a gunfight. The prosecution alleges that the incident was staged.

The tribunal will hear arguments on the framing of charges before deciding the next stage of proceedings in the case.

END/SMA/AJ