Dhaka, June 23 -- Key political figures, such as Sheikh Hasina, General Tariq Siddiqui, the Home Minister, and other senior officials, were in the strategic layers and held the authority to order abductions and extrajudicial killings, said the Commission of Enquiry on Enforced Disappearance in its second interim report.

Below this was the executive layer, comprising senior generals and high-ranking members of the police and other security forces, said the report titled 'Unfolding the Truth'.

Part of the report, which was made available to reporters by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing on Monday, revealed that senior former military officers linked to enforced disappearances are now absconding, causing impediments to ensuring justice.

"The...