15 army officers named in tribunal charge sheet under custody: Army Headquarters

Fifteen of the sixteen serving army officers named in arrest warrants issued by the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations of crimes against humanity are currently in military custody, while one officer, major general Kabir Ahmed, remains absconding, the Army Headquarters said.

The serving members of the armed forces named in the International Crimes Tribunal’s arrest warrants are Major General Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain, Major General Kabir Ahmad, Brigadier General Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddiqui, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, Brigadier General Tofail Mostafa Sarwar, Colonel K M Azad, Brigadier General Md. Kamrul Hasan, Brigadier General Md. Mahabub Alam, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Lieutenant Colonel Sarwar Bin Kashem, Lieutenant Colonel Moshiur Rahman Jewel, and Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Sumon.

On Saturday, October 11, at a press briefing at the Officers’ Mess of Dhaka Cantonment, Adjutant General Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman said the Bangladesh Army is taking action in accordance with the law regarding the members accused in the tribunal case.

He explained that during the army promotion board proceedings from October 5 to October 11, Major Generals and other senior-ranking officers were convened. Following the board’s decisions, general conferences and formation commander conferences were held, where mobile phone use was prohibited. On the afternoon of October 8, after the board concluded, it was learned that the tribunal had filed a charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against 25 individuals on the same day. The tribunal instructed that arrests be completed by October 22.

According to the information received, 25 army officers have been accused in three cases. Nine are retired, one is on leave for retirement (LPR), and the remaining 15 are still actively serving. Although the army has not yet formally received the arrest warrants, the Army Headquarters has reiterated full respect for all constitutionally recognised laws.

The Adjutant General stated, “Of the officers against whom charge sheets have been filed, 15 are currently in army custody. We had requested a total of 16 officers to come into army custody. Fifteen of them have complied.”

Md. Hakimuzzaman added, “Immediately after the charge sheet was filed on October 8, the 16 officers, including those on LPR and in service, were summoned to Army Headquarters. They were instructed to report by October 9. All except Major General Kabir Ahmad have responded and are now in custody. They are detached from their families.”

He further said, “Major General Kabir has gone into hiding. Measures are ongoing to ensure he does not leave the country.”

On Wednesday (October 8), the International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants against 30 individuals in two cases of crimes against humanity. Among the 30, 22 are former and current army officers ranging from Colonel to Lieutenant General.

The authorities have been instructed to arrest them by October 21 and present them before the tribunal on October 22.

In the first case, 17 individuals have been accused of torturing detainees at the RAB Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell, while in the second case, 13 have been charged over torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC).

The main accused in both cases is Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted during the mass movement in July last year. Other accused include her defence and security advisor, retired Major General Tariq Ahmed Siddiqui, and five former directors general of DGFI.