The International Crimes Tribunal‑1 has indicted former army officer Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan in a case filed for crimes against humanity.
He was indicted on three charges in connection with the killing of 104 people. With this, the formal trial against Ziaul Ahsan has begun.
The ICT‑1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, passed the order on Wednesday. The tribunal also set 8 February for the prosecution’s opening statement and the beginning of witness testimony.
Earlier, on 8 January, the tribunal concluded hearings on the arguments from the prosecution and the defence. Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam and Prosecutor Shaikh Mahdi appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Monsurul Haque Chowdhury represented the accused.
The tribunal, on 17 December last year, took cognisance of three formal charges brought against Ziaul Ahsan. According to the prosecution, between 2009 and 2016 he served as director of RAB’s intelligence wing and as additional inspector general (operations). During this period, he was allegedly involved directly in several incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
According to the prosecution, these crimes were not merely his personal initiatives but were carried out under his orders, approval, and knowledge.
The charges stated that RAB members under his command systematically executed these operations, which under international law constitute crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors further alleged that after being posted to RAB in 2009 as an army major, Ahsan became a close confidant of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina. As a result, until his dismissal as Major General in 2024, he never returned to the regular structure of the Bangladesh Army. Instead, he continued to serve in various forces and agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The charges also noted that his promotion to Major General took place without completing required military courses or training, and without any experience commanding a battalion, brigade, or formation. Prosecutors argue that such a rise to the rank of Major General is an extraordinary and unprecedented event in the professional history of the Bangladesh Army.
