The Bangladesh Army Headquarters (HQ) has confirmed that 15 army officers, against whom arrest warrants were issued in connection with crimes against humanity, have been taken into military custody, while one officer remains at large.

The information was disclosed by Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of Bangladesh Army, at a press briefing held at the Officers’ Mess in Dhaka Cantonment on Saturday afternoon (October 11).

“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 trace his whereabouts,” Major General Hakimuzzaman said.

Earlier, on 8 October, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) issued arrest warrants for 30 individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in two separate cases related to abduction and enforced disappearance.

Copies of the warrants were sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and 12 other relevant offices, including the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of General Staff, Adjutant General, Directors General of DGFI and NSI, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and several other military and intelligence units.

Ex-DGFI, RAB Chiefs among accused

The accused list 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 case concerning abduction, enforced disappearance, and torture at the RAB’s TFI Cell, 17 individuals face five counts of crimes against humanity.

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

In another case related to enforced disappearances at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC), 13 individuals, including Hasina, have been charged.

The accused are-- Sheikh Hasina, Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former DGFI DG 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.

According to ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, four of the accused officers are currently serving in active military roles. However, under the amended International Crimes Tribunal Act, individuals facing such charges cannot hold official positions while under investigation or prosecution.

Hasina, Siddique reportedly abroad

Hasina fled to India with her sister Sheikh Rehana on 5 August last year following a student-led mass uprising, and has since remained there.

The whereabouts of her former security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique remain unknown. Media reports indicate he was denied citizenship in Malta but has long-term residency in Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home programme. Siddique also reportedly holds permanent residency in Dubai, where he owns properties and has made major investments.