ICT to pursue those accused of concealing evidence at Secret Detention Site: Chief Prosecutor

Chief prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) said Saturday (August 1) that individuals accused of concealing evidence at an alleged secret detention facility known as the "Aynaghar" ("House of Mirrors") would also face prosecution.

The remarks came after a team from International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by its chairman and two other judges, inspected the Rapid Action Battalion's (RAB) Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) facility at the RAB-1 headquarters in the capital's Uttara.

Speaking to reporters after the inspection, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam alleged that parts of the detention facility had been deliberately altered after investigators began their work in an attempt to obscure evidence.

According to Islam, investigators initially found inconsistencies between survivors' descriptions of the facility and its physical layout. Further examination revealed that several sections had been concealed behind newly constructed walls.

"Once those walls were removed, investigators discovered 22 concealed rooms, which they described as deeply disturbing," he said. "A death cell was also found beneath some of the rooms. In total, the facility contained 29 rooms."

Islam said those responsible for operating the facility during the period under investigation, as well as individuals accused of later concealing parts of the site by constructing walls, would be held accountable.

"Those who were responsible at the time will have to explain their actions. Anyone involved in hiding evidence after the fact will also be brought to justice," he said.

The chief prosecutor also claimed that several individuals, including barrister Arman and the country's current Home Minister, had previously been detained at the facility. He further alleged that the current minister was later taken across the border into India and released there.

The inspection was conducted by ICT-1 Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, alongside tribunal members Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Hoque Enam Chowdhury.

The tribunal approved the site visit on July 21 following an application by the prosecution. The request sought permission to inspect alleged secret detention facilities operated by the RAB, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and the Detective Branch (DB) as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of enforced disappearances, unlawful detention and torture.

Authorities have said observations made during the inspection will be incorporated into the tribunal's ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings.