Ex-war crimes prosecutor Tureen Afroz breaks down in the dock ahead of hearing

Former International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor Tureen Afroz broke down in tears in the courtroom ahead of a hearing on a police plea to place her under arrest in an anti-terrorism case.

The hearing took place at a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday following her arrest on Apr 7 in a raid at a house in Uttara, reports bdnews24.com.

On Apr 8, she was placed on a four-day remand in a case involving an alleged attempt to murder a student named Abdul Jabbar during last year’s Anti-discrimination Student Movement protests. After the remand ended, she was sent to jail on Apr 12.

Later, on Apr 21, she was officially arrested in another case over the shooting death of Anwar Hossain Patwari in Mirpur during the July-August protests. On Apr 17, Sub-Inspector Sajib Hasan of Uttara West Police Station filed another petition to show her arrested in a third case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The court set Apr 23 for the hearing.

Tureen was brought to court on Wednesday under police escort, wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest. She appeared composed at first, before court proceedings began.

She was seen speaking with former police chief Shahidul Haque and politician Hasanul Haq Inu, with whom she later broke down in tears. They, along with outlawed Chhatra League leader Tanvir Hasan Saikat, consoled her.

Once proceedings began, the court first heard a plea to show former Dhaka North mayor Atiqul Islam arrested in two separate cases filed with Uttara West Police Station. The hearing on Tureen’s arrest followed.

Tureen’s lawyer Mohammad Selim told the court she had been tortured and that she wished to speak. With the judge’s permission, Tureen said: “I respect the law. I demand justice for what has been done to my legs. I’ve never held any political post. I only carried out my professional duties. I am physically unwell. I can’t walk. I beg for justice.”

Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi objected to her remarks, saying: “What she’s saying isn’t true. She’s trying to mislead and create panic in the courtroom.”

At that point, Tureen showed the judge marks on her legs that she said were from the alleged abuse.

After the hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman granted the police application to show her arrested in the anti-terror case. She was later taken back to jail under police guard and did not speak further.

According to the case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, police seized a laptop and mobile phone during her arrest on Apr 7. Forensic examination of her Telegram account reportedly showed her participation as an admin or member in multiple groups such as “From Chattogram to Bangabandhu”, “Dhanmondi 32”, and “Bangabandhu Reserve Force (Gopalganj)”.

The case alleges that Tureen opened various groups using her devices to incite unrest and promote terrorist activity aimed at destabilising the state and destroying its institutions.

Tureen previously served as a prosecutor in the ICT, formed in 2010 to try war crimes. She was involved in major cases, including the one against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam.

In 2019, she was removed from her position as prosecutor by the then-Awami League government after allegations of holding a secret meeting with former NSI and Passport Directorate chief Wahidul Haque, who was under trial for war crimes.

Tureen also sought a nomination from the Awami League to contest the 2018 national election. After the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, multiple cases were filed against her, as with other figures close to the former ruling party.