Skip to main content

Bangladesh Army Takes 15 Officers into Custody Over Crimes Against Humanity



The Bangladesh Army today confirmed that it has taken 15 currently serving officers into military custody following the issuance of arrest warrants by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD). The high profile detentions are linked to their alleged involvement in "crimes against humanity," particularly cases of enforced disappearances and torture that reportedly occurred during the tenure of the previous administration led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The announcement was made by the Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, Major General Mohammad Hakimuzzaman, at a press briefing at the military headquarters in Dhaka. He stated that directives were issued for 16 officers to report to the headquarters and that 15 complied and are now being held in military custody, separated from their families. The one officer who did not report, Major General Kabir Ahmed, the former military secretary to the deposed Prime Minister, has gone into hiding, and security agencies, including the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the National Security Intelligence (NSI), have been alerted to prevent him from leaving the country, according to Major General Hakimuzzaman. The detained officers, who include two major generals, six brigadier generals, and several colonels and lieutenant colonels, are among 25 current and former military personnel who have been formally charged by the tribunal.

The Army Headquarters emphasized its full commitment to the rule of law, stating that it is respectful of "all constitution acknowledged laws of Bangladesh" and that measures would be taken against the officers in custody "in line with the law." This move comes after the ICT-BD issued arrest warrants on October 8 against 28 individuals, including the former Prime Minister, in cases related to abuses during the previous government. The tribunal has set October 22 as the date for the next hearing. This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that such a large number of senior ranking, serving military officials are set to face civilian trials for alleged international crimes. The civilian tribunal is empowered to try individuals for crimes against humanity.

The arrests address long standing concerns raised by both international and domestic organizations regarding pervasive human rights violations. A report by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), released in February 2025, had earlier found that the former government and its security services systematically engaged in serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture, during student led protests, raising concerns that these may constitute crimes against humanity. Separately, the respected local human rights organization, Odhikar, has documented hundreds of cases of enforced disappearances in the country over the last decade, with victims often linked to the political opposition and dissenting voices, consistently calling for an independent inquiry and accountability. The new interim government, under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, established a commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances in August 2024, a step hailed by organizations like Human Rights Watch, which had repeatedly urged authorities to end the culture of impunity. The current actions by the Bangladesh Army and the International Crimes Tribunal signify an unprecedented effort to pursue justice and accountability for past abuses, a key demand of human rights advocates and the post-revolution public.

The Chief Prosecutor of the ICT-BD, Muhammad Tajul Islam, previously described to journalists the horrific details of the torture allegedly used in secret detention, asserting, "One day or another, every perpetrator must face trial." The new development from the Army, which respects the constitutional law and the ongoing legal process, is viewed by many as a critical step toward national healing and systemic reform.



Connect with US,
    X               :  theTamilGlobal
    Facebook  :  Thetamil Global
    Threads     :  thetamilglobal

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LTTE’s Use of Child Soldiers: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war.  While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines.  Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted.  Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...
Post a Comment
Read more

Former UK Cabin Crew Member Arrested in Sri Lanka with £1.15 Million Cannabis Haul

Sri Lankan authorities have detained Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of cannabis into the country. The drugs, valued at approximately £1.15 million, were found packed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two large suitcases after Lee arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit described the seizure as the largest amount of Kush cannabis ever discovered at the airport. Kush is a potent strain often mixed with synthetic substances and is believed to be destined for high-end buyers within Sri Lanka. Lee, who previously worked for TUI Group and has recently been training as a beautician, remains in custody while investigations continue. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Lee and is in contact with her family and Sri Lankan authorities. Friends of Le...
Post a Comment
Read more

The LTTE's Campaign of Terror: How a Designated Terrorist Organization Pioneered Modern Suicide Bombing

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stands as one of history's most ruthless terrorist organizations, having systematically violated human rights and pioneered suicide bombing tactics that would later be adopted by terrorist groups worldwide. Designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including Sri Lanka, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, and all 27 member nations of the European Union, the LTTE's three-decade reign of terror in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist violence. Origins and Rise of a Terror Network Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE emerged from earlier militant groups established in the 1970s . What began as a small outfit of 40-50 members in the early 1980s evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated and tightly organized insurgent groups. The organization's transformation into a terror network accelerated following the 1983 ethnic riots, which the LTTE e...
Post a Comment
Read more