In a historic and unprecedented development, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has formally charged 25 serving and former military officers, along with ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several ex-ministers, and senior intelligence and police officials, in three separate cases involving enforced disappearances, secret detention, torture, and killings during her 15-year tenure.
This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that serving military personnel have been charged in a civil court for alleged crimes against humanity.
Historic Indictment
The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, submitted formal charges against a total of 28 accused. The tribunal, presided over by a three-member panel, took cognisance of the charges and issued arrest warrants, directing authorities to produce the accused on 22 October for the next hearing.
The charges cover:
- Two cases of enforced disappearance and torture linked to the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).
- One case of killings and crimes against humanity in Rampura during the July 2024 uprising, reportedly resulting in 28 civilian deaths.
Prosecutor Tajul Islam told the court that several allegations were substantiated among thousands of complaints received, forming the basis of the formal charges.
Legal and Political Context
A day before the indictments, the government amended the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, barring individuals formally charged from holding or contesting public office, and disqualifying them from any service of the republic.
Under this amendment, those charged are no longer considered “serving officers” for administrative purposes.
This legislative change paved the way for a landmark judicial process that challenges decades of immunity historically enjoyed by uniformed officers accused of rights violations.
Who’s Charged and Why
Among the accused are some of Bangladesh’s most senior former defence and security officials, including five former DGFI chiefs and five former directors of its Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau (CTIB).
The list of co-accused includes:
- Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Defence and Security Adviser to Sheikh Hasina
- Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Home Minister
- Lt Gen (retd) Md Akbar Hossain, Lt Gen (retd) Md Saiful Alam, Lt Gen (retd) Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, Maj Gen (retd) Md Saiful Abedin, and Maj Gen (retd) Hamidul Haque — all former DGFI chiefs.
The prosecution alleges that between 2009 and 2024, DGFI and Rab operated secret detention centres, such as the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) and the infamous “Ayna Ghar” (“Art Gallery”), where detainees were subjected to systematic torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
Victims included political activists, journalists, and dissidents such as:
- Brig Gen Abdullahil Aman Azmi
- Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem
- Humam Quader Chowdhury
- Mikel Chakma
- Lt Col Hasinur Rahman
They were present in court during proceedings, calling for justice but rejecting revenge.
Timeline of the Alleged Offences (2009–2024)
| Period | Event Summary |
|---|---|
| 2009–2013 | Establishment of JIC and Rab TFI facilities; initial disappearances of political activists and journalists. |
| 2014–2018 | Intensification of counter-dissent operations; emergence of the term “Ayna Ghar”. |
| 2019–2022 | Secret detention sites allegedly moved to military compounds; victims’ families silenced. |
| 2023–2024 | Escalation during political unrest; Rampura killings incident; international documentation of abuses. |
Reactions from Analysts
“This is an unprecedented development,” said Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, a noted security analyst.
“In the past, no military officers were ever charged with crimes against humanity, so the question of their trial in a civil court simply did not arise. Offences by serving officers were typically handled within military jurisdiction.”
The move is widely seen as signalling a judicial shift toward accountability, though observers warn that it could have institutional and political ramifications for Bangladesh’s civil-military relations.
The Rampura Killings Case
The third case concerns the alleged killing of 28 civilians in Rampura during the July 2024 uprising.
The accused include:
- Lt Col Redwanul Islam, former BGB officer
- Maj Md Rafat Bin Alam Mun, BGB
- Md Rashedul Islam, former Additional Deputy Commissioner (DMP)
- Md Mashiur Rahman, former OC, Rampura Police Station
A joint investigation by local media and Tech Global Institute identified Lt Col Redwanul as the alleged shooter through forensic analysis of video footage. The findings reportedly matched ballistic evidence linking him to the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Ashiqul Islam.
The Alleged Methods of Torture
The prosecution detailed gruesome methods used in secret detention facilities, including:
- Prolonged beatings and electric shocks
- Electrocution of genitals
- Use of electric chairs
- Amputation of limbs
- Cutting open abdomens before dumping bodies into rivers
The tribunal heard that Rab’s secret facility — “Ayna Ghar”, also called the “TFI Cell” — used symbolic names for detainees, referring to high-value captives as “Mona Lisa”.
Outlook and Next Steps
The tribunal has directed the police and respective service branches to locate and arrest the accused. The proceedings are expected to be one of the most significant judicial undertakings since the original war crimes trials in 2010.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam vowed that “every perpetrator must face trial… efforts will be made to conclude them lawfully in the shortest possible time.”
For many victims and their families, this represents a long-awaited step toward accountability in Bangladesh’s evolving pursuit of transitional justice.
Annex-I: List of the Accused
| Name | Institution / Role | Status | Alleged Crimes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Hasina | Former Prime Minister | Civilian (Ousted) | Crimes against humanity, enforced disappearance, torture, unlawful detention |
| Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique | Former Defence & Security Adviser | Retired | Enforced disappearance, torture |
| Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal | Former Home Minister | Civilian | Enforced disappearance, secret detention |
| Lt Gen (retd) Md Akbar Hossain | Former DGFI Chief | Retired | Crimes against humanity, enforced disappearance |
| Lt Gen (retd) Md Saiful Alam | Former DGFI Chief | Retired | Enforced disappearance, torture |
| Lt Gen (retd) Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury | Former DGFI Chief | Retired | Enforced disappearance, torture |
| Maj Gen (retd) Md Saiful Abedin | Former DGFI Chief | Retired | Enforced disappearance |
| Maj Gen (retd) Hamidul Haque | Former DGFI Chief | Retired | Crimes against humanity |
| Maj Gen Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain | Former CTIB Director | Serving | Torture, unlawful detention |
| Maj Gen (retd) Mohammad Towhidul Ul Islam | Former CTIB Director | Retired | Torture, enforced disappearance |
| Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed | Former CTIB Director | Serving | Enforced disappearance |
| Brig Gen Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddique | Former CTIB Director | Serving | Enforced disappearance, torture |
| Brig Gen Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddique | Former CTIB Director | Serving | Crimes against humanity |
| Lt Col (retd) Mokhsurul Haque | Former DGFI Officer | Retired | Torture, enforced disappearance |
| Col (retd) Anwar Latif Khan | Former Rab Officer | Retired | Secret detention, torture |
| Brig Gen Md Jahangir Alam | Rab-1 Commander | Serving | Torture, killings |
| Brig Gen Tofail Mostafa Sarwar | Rab Officer | Serving | Secret detention |
| Brig Gen Kamrul Hasan | Rab Officer | Serving | Enforced disappearance |
| Brig Gen Md Mahbub Alam | Rab Officer | Serving | Torture |
| Col K M Azad | Rab Officer | Serving | Crimes against humanity |
| Col Abdullah Al Momen | Rab Officer | Serving | Torture, killings |
| Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Khairul Islam | Rab Officer | Retired | Torture |
| Lt Col Md Moshiur Rahman Jewel | Rab Officer | Serving | Secret detention |
| Lt Col Saiful Islam Sumon | Rab Officer | Serving | Torture |
| Lt Col Sarwar Bin Kashem | Rab Officer | Serving | Enforced disappearance |
| Lt Col Redwanul Islam | Former BGB Officer | Retired | Killings (Rampura), crimes against humanity |
| Maj Md Rafat Bin Alam Mun | Former BGB Officer | Serving | Killings (Rampura) |
| Md Rashedul Islam | Former DMP ADC, Khilgaon Division | Civilian (Police) | Killings, crimes against humanity |
| Md Mashiur Rahman | Former OC, Rampura Police Station | Civilian (Police) | Killings, crimes against humanity |
Khaled Ahmed is a seasoned former intelligence analyst and military expert from the Netherlands, bringing over 15 years of specialised experience in operational intelligence, threat analysis, and strategic defence planning. Having served in high-level, classified roles within Dutch military intelligence, he possesses rare expertise in European security architecture, NATO doctrine, and asymmetric warfare. Khaled’s deep operational insight and international perspective enable him to deliver precision-driven intelligence analysis and forward-looking strategic forecasts. A trusted contributor to high-level risk assessments and security briefings, he offers readers clarity on complex defence and security challenges. Khaled leads the National Security and Fact Analysis sections at BDMilitary. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, and is fluent in Dutch, French, and Arabic — combining linguistic dexterity with operational expertise to analyse security issues across cultures and regions.
