War crimes tribunal’s probe body coordinator Abdul Hannan dies of Covid-19

Freedom fighter Abdul Hannan Khan, also the chief coordinator of the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), has passed away from Covid-19.

The 78-year-old breathed his last at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka around 12:45 pm on Sunday.

M Sanaul Haque, senior coordinator of the agency, confirmed the matter and said: “Abdul Hannan had a brain stroke, heart disease and other physical complications.”

He was taken to a private hospital in the capital on September 9 due to physical illness and was shifted to CMH under the direction of the prime minister for better treatment.

Abdul Hannan, the former deputy inspector general of police, had earlier served as the chief coordinator in the investigation of the Bangabandhu murder, Jail Killing case, and Intellectual Killing case.

The 2008 Awami League election manifesto promised that war crimes would be tried. In the first session of the parliament, a law was passed unanimously in this regard.

However, the International (Criminal) Court was formed on March 25, 2010. In this context, he joined the investigation agency in January 2011, as the coordinator of the investigation agency.

Abdul Hannan is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter, and a host of relatives.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of the freedom fighter

In separate messages of condolence, they recalled the significant role Khan performed with utmost dedication, efficiency, honesty, and bravery as the chief coordinator of the investigation wing in various historic cases of the country.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Law Minister Anisul Huq also expressed deep grief over the death of Abdul Hannan Khan.

Born in Khalisaur Khan Para of Purbodhala under Netrokona, Abdul Hannan Khan completed his MA in English and LLB degree from the University of Dhaka.

He participated in the language movement when he was a primary student. He was also president of Kishoreganj sub-division student movement committee of Hamidur Rahman Education Commission Movement.

After completion of education, he served Brahmanbaria college, Moulvibazar college and Nasirabad college in Mymensingh and Ashek Mahmud College in Jamalpur as professor.

In 1971, he participated in the Liberation War at Dhalu sub-sector under sector 11. After the liberation war, he joined as ASP of the police department in the first batch of BCS in 1973.

In 1996, Hannan Khan got appointment as the chief investigative officer of the Bangabandhu murder case and got government nomination to bring back sacked Major Huda, a fugitive convicted killer, from Bangkok.