Army Detains 15 Officers Over War Crimes Warrants

The Bangladesh Army Headquarters has confirmed that 15 army officers, against whom arrest warrants were issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in connection with crimes against humanity, have been taken into military custody. One officer, however, remains missing.

The disclosure came from Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, during a press briefing held at the Officers’ Mess in Dhaka Cantonment on Saturday afternoon (11 October).

“A total of 15 accused officers are now under army custody, while one officer remains unaccounted for. He left his residence one morning and has not returned since. Efforts are underway to locate him,” the Adjutant General said.

He added that the army was cooperating fully with the judicial process and that all relevant information had been shared with the concerned authorities.

Warrants issued for 30 accused

On 8 October, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 issued arrest warrants for 30 individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in two separate cases involving abduction, torture, and enforced disappearance. The warrants were distributed to the Inspector General of Police and 12 other key institutions, including the Army Headquarters, DGFI, NSI, Armed Forces Division, and the Chief Adviser’s Office.

One case accuses Sheikh Hasina, her former security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and 17 others of crimes against humanity committed at the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The second case involves Hasina, Tarique, and 13 others for similar offences allegedly committed at the Joint Interrogation Cell.

Senior security officials among the accused

The list of accused includes five former Directors General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and several former chiefs of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

In the TFI cell case, the accused are:

Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, former RAB DGs M Khurshid Hossain and Barrister Harun ur Rashid, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Brigadier General Jahangir Alam, Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar, KM Azad, Brigadier General Kamrul Hasan, Mahbub Alam, Abdullah Al Momen, Sarwar Bin Kashem, Khairul Islam, Moshiur Rahman Jewel, and Saiful Islam Suman.

The second case, concerning the Joint Interrogation Cell, names 13 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Akbar Hossain, Maj Gen (retd) Saiful Abedin, Lt Gen (retd) Md Saiful Alam, Lt Gen Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, Maj Gen (retd) Hamidul Haque, Maj Gen Towhidul Islam, Maj Gen Sarwar Hossain, Maj Gen Kabir Ahmed, Brig Gen Mahbubur Rahman Siddique, Brig Gen Ahmed Tanvir Majhar Siddique, and Lt Col (retd) Makhsurul Haque.

Among them, four officers are currently serving in active military positions. Under the amended International Crimes Tribunal Act, however, individuals accused of such offences are not permitted to hold official posts while investigations are underway.

Missing officer and ongoing search

Army sources confirmed that one officer has been missing since the warrants were issued. “He left home early in the morning several days ago and has not returned. Investigations are ongoing to determine his whereabouts,” Major General Hakimuzzaman said.

Broader political implications

The tribunal’s move has stirred intense national and international attention, as it marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that a former prime minister, senior intelligence chiefs, and serving military officers have simultaneously faced charges of crimes against humanity.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India on 5 August last year, along with her sister Sheikh Rehana, following a mass student-led uprising that toppled her government. She is believed to be residing in India since then.

Her security adviser, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, reportedly left Bangladesh around the same time. Media reports indicate that Siddique was denied citizenship in Malta but later obtained long-term residency in Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home programme. He is also said to hold permanent residency in Dubai, where he has made large property investments.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the Army Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to uphold discipline, accountability, and the rule of law, stating that all necessary cooperation would be extended to ensure justice in line with national and international standards.