Trial of arrested Major (retd) Mozaffar to be held in military court: Home Minister

The trial of Major (retd) Mozaffar Hossain, an arrested accused in the murder case of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, will be held in a military court, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed .

He made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions after visiting the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana on Monday (July 20).

The Home Minister said Major (retd) Mozaffar had been on the run for a long time and was residing in a neighbouring country under a false identity. Based on intelligence information, he was arrested and handed over to the army. The army will form a General Court Martial to complete his trial.

He said, "There are previous verdicts and observations from military courts regarding other accused in the same case. The same legal process will be followed in Major Mozaffar's case. If any matter falls under the jurisdiction of a civilian court, it will be considered according to the law. However, a person cannot be tried separately under two different laws for the same incident."

Regarding the construction of barbed wire fencing and landmine detection along the Myanmar border, the Home Minister said the BGB has been provided with the necessary equipment to detect landmines and they are using them.

He said the Myanmar border is currently highly sensitive. The impact of conflicts involving various armed groups such as the Arakan Army, the Myanmar military, the RSO, and the RSA is also affecting Bangladesh's border.

On the alleged 'push-ins' from India, the Home Minister said with the cooperation of the BGB and local people, most infiltrations have been prevented so far. While some illegal crossings have occurred, they are limited.

He said if any individual claims to be a Bangladeshi citizen, the concerned country must provide an official list through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After verification at the national level, if the claim is found to be true, the individual will be brought back through legal process. No one will be accepted outside this process.

Praising the BGB's recent activities, the Home Minister said BGB members are awarded medals each year for their bravery and significant duties. He said he would discuss with the BGB Director General the matter of providing additional recognition alongside medals for their special contributions in the recent border situation.