A former Army officer has testified against former RAB Intelligence Wing chief Ziaul Ahsan at the International Crimes Tribunal, bringing fresh allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the Awami League government’s tenure.
Major Sabbir, the 11th witness in the case, alleged that four people, including Nazrul, a witness to the 2009 Pilkhana BDR massacre, were deliberately killed in May 2010 under the guise of “crossfire.”
He further alleged that Alkas Majhi, one of the boatmen involved in Ziaul Ahsan’s so-called Golf Operation in 2011, was also subjected to enforced disappearance and killed.
The allegations have now entered the judicial record after remaining largely out of public view for years. The prosecution said the testimony regarding the alleged killings of BDR members adds a new dimension to the case against Ziaul Ahsan involving crimes against humanity.
In the enforced disappearance case, former Army chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, as well as serving and former Army and RAB officials who allegedly witnessed the incidents, have already testified against Ziaul Ahsan.
The tribunal is expected to hear the testimony of the investigation officer next, followed by arguments from the prosecution and defence.
According to the report, the case is currently at an advanced stage of proceedings and is the first enforced disappearance case in 16 years to reach the final stages of trial.
