Two civil servants have been arrested in connection with crimes allegedly committed during last year’s mass uprising that led to the fall of the government headed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, officials confirmed.
According to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), the detainees — Anirban Chowdhury, Additional Superintendent of Police in the Rangamati hill district, and Md. Saiful Islam, a Senior Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate — have been taken into police custody.
“They are accused of committing acts amounting to genocide and crimes against humanity during the suppression of the uprising in Narsingdi district,” said Gazi Monowar Hussain Tamim, Prosecutor (Administration) of the ICT, in a message to the media.
Chowdhury was detained from his office in Rangamati for interrogation. He began his career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police through the 30th BCS (Police Cadre).
In September 2022, he was posted as Additional Superintendent of Police in Narsingdi and was stationed there during the anti-discrimination protests in July and August 2023. He was later transferred to Rangamati on October 7, 2023, where he currently serves as the Traffic Police Chief.
Saiful Islam, a 37th BCS Administration Cadre officer, currently serves as a Senior Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate.