United People鈥檚 Democratic Front leader Michael Chakma on Monday formally lodged a written complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal chief prosecutor, accusing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and eight others of crimes against humanity for his alleged enforced disappearance.
The written complaint follows Michael鈥檚 verbal complaint filed on December 18.
The activist had earlier testified before the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance regarding his abduction and detention.
The inquiry commission in its first interim report, submitted to the interim government chief adviser on December 14, said that it found prima facie evidence of the involvement of Sheikh Haisna and some high-ranking officials of the security forces and her government, including her defence adviser retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, in instituting the incidents of enforced disappearance.
The commission at the time said that they had recorded 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearance and of them scrutinised 758 complaints.
The commission also estimated that the number of the victims of enforced disappearance would cross 3,500.
Asked about how many victims related to the 758 complaints remained still missing, commission member Sazzad Hossain said that 23 per cent of them were still missing and 77 per cent reappeared later.
After filing the written complaint, Michael told reporters that as evidence he submitted to the chief prosecutor鈥檚 office a piece of gamcha, a traditional towel, with which he alleged that his hands were tied after removing handcuffs during his enforced disappearance.聽
Michael also claimed to have preserved as evidence a hood and a black cloth used to blindfold him during his detention.
The hill organisation鈥檚 leader disappeared in April 2019 and reappeared on August 7, 2024, two days after the fall of the Hasina regime through a student-led mass uprising.
He alleged that he had been detained for over five years at Aynaghor, a secret detention centre, where he was held in solitary confinement and subjected to torture during interrogations.
Michael recounted being blindfolded throughout his captivity and said he could not identify those involved in his disappearance.
He, however, named Sheikh Hasina and eight others as suspects, citing her alleged threats following a 2013 road blockade in Khagrachhari by UPDF supporters.
鈥楽heikh Hasina threatened to take action against those who disrupted her rally. I believe I became a target of vengeance and hold her responsible for my enforced disappearance,鈥� Michael told 抖阴精品.
ICT prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman confirmed that Michael鈥檚 complaint would be forwarded to the tribunal鈥檚 investigation agency for further action.
While declining to disclose the names of the accused to ensure an effective investigation, Noman stated that several individuals named in the complaint were already facing legal proceedings.
He added that the gamcha will undergo forensic examination to identify those involved.
Michael is a vocal advocate for the democratic rights of Bangladesh鈥檚 national minority communities, including those in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. His abduction, as he alleged, involved plainclothes men who forced him into a microbus in Kalyanpur in Dhaka city.
He has called on law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for his captivity.
Michael鈥檚 case renewed attention on allegations of enforced disappearances and human rights violations under the Hasina regime.
Rights groups and activists have expressed concern over the lack of accountability for such incidents.
Professor Rehnuma Ahmed accompanied Michael during the submission of his complaint to the tribunal, emphasising the importance of addressing crimes against humanity and ensuring justice for victims.