Of the 15 serving army officers against whom the International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants over alleged crimes against humanity, 14 are currently in military custody, while one remains absconding, according to the Army Headquarters.
At a press briefing held on Saturday at the Officers’ Mess in Dhaka Cantonment, Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, confirmed the information. He stated that the army is taking lawful measures regarding officers accused in the tribunal’s cases.
Major General Hakimuzzaman explained that from October 5 to 11, the army’s promotion board was in session, attended by senior officers of the rank of Major General and above. During that time, the use of mobile phones was prohibited. Following the conclusion of the board on October 8, news emerged that the International Crimes Tribunal had filed a charge sheet in a case and issued arrest warrants for 25 individuals, instructing that arrests be completed by October 22.
It was later revealed that among those 25 accused, nine are retired, one is on LPR (Leave Pending Retirement), and 15 are still in active service. Although the army has not yet officially received the warrants, it stated that it is acting in full compliance with the Constitution and the law.
Upon learning of the tribunal’s order on October 8, the army immediately took 16 officers into custody, and on October 9, they were officially attached to the Army Headquarters.
Out of the 15 serving officers, 14 responded to the call from the Army Headquarters. However, Major General Kabir, one of the accused, reportedly left his residence after informing his family that he would consult his lawyer, but has not returned since. The army later declared him “illegally absent” and has alerted all border points to prevent his escape.
Meanwhile, the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for 30 individuals in two separate cases related to crimes against humanity.
The first case involves allegations of torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce Interrogation (TFI) Cell, naming 17 accused, while the second case relates to torture incidents at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC), naming 13 accused.
The chief accused in both cases is former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in the July military coup. Others named in the case include her adviser on defence and security affairs, retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and five former Directors General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).
According to reports, 22 of the 30 accused are current or former army officers, ranging from the rank of Colonel to Lieutenant General.
