The opening statement and recording of testimony in the trial of former army officer Ziaul Ahsan are scheduled to begin on Sunday over allegations of crimes against humanity, including enforced disappearances during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government.
On 14 January, International Crimes Tribunal-1 framed three charges against the accused, formally starting the trial, with the charges including the killing of 104 people.
The tribunal had earlier taken cognisance of the case on 17 December last year, when prosecutors alleged that Ahsan played a direct role in state-sponsored enforced disappearances and killings.
According to the prosecution, Ahsan served as Director of the Intelligence Wing and Additional Director General (Operations) of the Rapid Action Battalion between 2009 and 2016, during which he allegedly directly participated in, ordered and approved enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings carried out by RAB members.
Prosecution sources said Ahsan was posted to RAB as a major in 2009 and later became a close confidant of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, remaining under the Ministry of Home Affairs throughout his posting and not returning to the army until his dismissal in 2024.
They further claimed his promotion to major general was unprecedented in the army’s professional history, as he allegedly attained the rank without completing required courses, training, or holding battalion or brigade-level command.
