Bangladesh issues warrant for Tazreen Fashions factory owner

Industry news

Bangladesh issues warrant for Tazreen Fashions factory owner

A Bangladesh court last week issued an arrest warrant for a fugitive garment factory owner on homicide charges for the deaths of 112 workers in a fire last year, police said. Police last week laid charges against Delwar Hossain, his wife and 11 employees of Tazreen Fashions.

Dhaka's senior judicial magistrate, Wasim Sheikh, issued arrest warrants for Hossain, his wife and four other company officials, prosecutor Anwarul Kabir said. They could be tried in absentia if they are not found by Feb. 25, he said.

"Several times we raided their houses, including Hossain's residence, to nab them. But they were not found. They have been shown as fugitives in the charge sheet," police officials said. "We appealed to the court to issue the arrest warrants against the absconding accused and confiscate their properties."

The charges against the 13 included breaching construction rules and building design faults such as the failure to provide two emergency exits, an investigating officer said. If convicted, they could face life in prison.