A newly introduced air-conditioned prison van with advanced safety and comfort features was used for the first time on Wednesday to transport 15 serving Bangladesh Army officials to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka.
The army officials, accused in a case involving killings during the July uprising and two cases of enforced disappearance, have been taken to a sub-jail inside Dhaka cantonment, defence counsel Barrister M Sarwar Hossain said.
The officers, Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam, Major General Mostafa Sarowar, Brigadier General Md Kamrul Hasan, Brigadier General Md Mahbub Alam, Lieutenant Colonel Sarwar Bin Kashem, Colonel Moshiul Rahman Jewel, Lieutenant Colonel Saiful Islam Sumon, Major General Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain, Major General Kabir Ahmed, Brigadier General Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, Brigadier General Ahmed Tanvir Majahar Siddiqui, Colonel Anwar Latif Khan, Lieutenant Colonel Mokhchurul Haque (retired), Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarowar, and Colonel KM Azad, became the first passengers of the modern vehicle as they were taken to the tribunal under tight security to face charges of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and crimes against humanity.
The officers after court order travelled back to special prison inside Dhaka cantonment with the same vehicle.
Unlike the old, congested vehicles typically used by prison authorities, this new van offers a far more secure and humane environment with cushioned seating, climate control, and reinforced steel-bar partitions. Each compartment is equipped with ventilation ducts and safety locks, ensuring controlled movement and comfort during transport.
Prison officials said five such vehicles were gifted by the United States Embassy last year but remained unused for months due to delayed registration after Washington paused certain assistance programmes. The clearance was later granted following Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s visit to the United States.
Officials described Wednesday’s operation as a major step toward modernising prisoner transport in Bangladesh while maintaining the highest level of security.
