Bangladesh Army takes 15 officers into custody

Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army briefing reporters at Dhaka Cantonment on Saturday._11zon

Dhaka, Oct 11 - The Bangladesh Army on Saturday said 15 officers, against whom arrest warrants were issued for alleged involvement in disappearances and crimes against humanity, have been taken into custody.

Among them, 14 are serving officers and one is an officer in the LPR, and another officer did not respond to notice, said Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, while briefing reporters at a press conference in Dhaka Cantonment.

The press conference focused on cases filed by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against military personnel.

The ICT on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrests of 30 individuals in two cases of crimes against humanity involving the disappearance and torture of opposition figures during the Awami League regime.

Of the 30 accused, 17 face charges related to torture at the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell of RAB, and 13 are accused of torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC).

Major General Hakimuzzaman said that of the 30 accused, 25 are former and current army officers. Fifteen of the serving officers, including the LPR officer, have been taken into custody, while one officer remains absconding.

“The Bangladesh Army also wants a proper trial of crimes against humanity, including disappearances and murders. We want justice and remain uncompromising on fairness and accountability,” he said.

But the Army has not yet officially received a copy of the charge sheet. “The officers were taken into custody based on information from the media and social media,” he added.

Regarding the absconding officer, Major General Hakimuzzaman identified him as Major General Kabir, who did not respond even after notice. “We are investigating his matter,” he said.

He said once the Army receives the charge sheet from the ICT, it will review the details of the alleged crimes and seek the opinions from the authorities concerned to determine how the trial process will proceed. - UNB