The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Wednesday deferred the recording of witness testimony in the case against former army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan, who is accused of involvement in enforced disappearances and murders during the fallen Awami League regime.
The tribunal fixed 14 May as the new date for the proceedings following an application for adjournment by the prosecution, citing the illness of a scheduled witness.
Prosecutor Shikh Mahdi informed the court that the fifth witness in the case was scheduled to provide a deposition but was unable to attend the hearing due to physical illness.
Major General Ziaul Ahsan was formally charged by the tribunal on 14 January this year.
He faces three specific charges related to the killing of 104 individuals.
These formal allegations, brought forward by the prosecution, were originally taken into cognisance by the tribunal on 17 December last year.
According to the prosecution, Ziaul Ahsan served as the director of the Intelligence Wing and the Additional Director General (Operations) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) between 2009 and 2016.
During this tenure, he is alleged to have directly participated in numerous enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The prosecution further contends that a multitude of murders and other crimes against humanity were committed by RAB members under his direct command, approval, and knowledge.
Prosecution sources indicate that Ziaul Ahsan became a highly trusted confidant of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina shortly after being posted to RAB as a Major in 2009.
As a result, he remained under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, serving in various forces or agencies until his compulsory retirement in 2024, without ever returning to his parent organisation, the Bangladesh Army.
The prosecution has described his career trajectory as “unprecedented” in the professional history of the Bangladesh Army.
Despite lacking the command experience of a battalion, brigade, or formation, and without completing the requisite professional courses and training for advancement, he was promoted to the rank of Major General.
