The court has set 6 October to record the next testimony of Investigation Officer Md Rafiqul Islam against former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, on charges of crimes against humanity involving over a hundred cases of enforced disappearance and murder.
The tribunal set the date on Sunday following a prosecution petition.
Rafiqul Islam began testifying on 30 September as the 15th and final prosecution witness in the case. The hearing was adjourned that day as his testimony could not be completed.
After completion of the witness testimony, the tribunal is expected to hear arguments before moving towards a verdict.
Several army officers, including former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, have testified in the case.
The prosecution has claimed their testimonies detailed how Ziaul Ahsan allegedly became a “serial killer” and how officers of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) gradually became involved in enforced disappearances and killings.
Accused of killing 104 people
The case was filed against Ziaul Ahsan over allegations of his direct involvement in state-sponsored enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government.
International Crimes Tribunal-1 framed three charges against him on 14 January, formally opening his trial over allegations involving the killing of 104 people.
According to the prosecution, Ziaul Ahsan served as director of RAB’s Intelligence Wing and later as additional director general (Operations) between 2009 and 2016.
The prosecution alleges that he directly participated in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the period and that RAB members carried out such crimes under his direction and authorisation.
From RAB posting to major general
Prosecution sources claim Ziaul Ahsan was posted to RAB as an army major in 2009 and later became a close and trusted associate of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
They allege that he did not return to regular army duties before his dismissal from service in 2024, serving instead in different forces and agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The prosecution further claims that Ziaul Ahsan was promoted to the rank of major general without completing the required courses, training or command experience of a battalion or brigade, describing the promotion as unprecedented in the professional history of the army.
