The trial proceedings against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, who has been accused of involvement in more than a hundred cases of enforced disappearances and killings during the tenure of the Awami League government, have formally begun, and former Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal to provide testimony in the case. Sunday was scheduled for the prosecution’s opening statement and the commencement of witness testimony. The case is being heard at International Crimes Tribunal-1, a three-member panel led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder, with Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury serving as the other members. According to prosecution sources, the hearing began with an opening statement outlining the background of the case, after which the main process of witness testimony was set to start with the deposition of the first witness. Earlier, on January 14, the tribunal had fixed this date for the formal start of the trial. At that time, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam stated that the report of the Commission on Disappearances would be submitted to the court and that all available materials would be presented to prove the charges against Ziaul Ahsan. Prior to that, on December 17, the chief prosecutor submitted the formal charges and sought the tribunal’s cognizance of three specific allegations, which the tribunal later accepted, paving the way for the trial to begin. Relevant sources said that the proceedings will continue in phases, with the examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence to verify the allegations. The trial has generated significant public and political interest, as the accused has long been at the center of controversy over disappearance cases. With the start of witness testimony, the case has now entered a formal judicial phase, and further hearings are expected to include additional testimonies and evidence as the trial progresses.