Bangladesh Army backs trial process; no compromise on justice: Maj Gen Hakimuzzaman

The Bangladesh Army fully supports the ongoing judicial process over crimes against humanity cases and will not compromise on justice, Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, adjutant general of the Bangladesh Army, said today (11 October).

"The Bangladesh Army stands for justice. There will be no compromise with fairness," he said while speaking at a press briefing at the Officers' Mess in Dhaka Cantonment.

Major General Hakimuzzaman announced that 15 army officers, against whom arrest warrants have been issued by the International Crimes Tribunal in separate cases over enforced disappearances and torture committed during the Awami League's rule, have been taken into military custody.

Enforced disappearance: 15 officers facing warrants taken into custody, 1 missing, says Army HQ

"A total of 15 accused officers are now under army custody, while one officer remains unaccounted for. He left his residence one morning and has not returned since. Efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts," he said.

He added that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), the National Security Intelligence (NSI), and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been instructed to ensure that the missing officer cannot leave the country.

"We respect all laws recognised by the constitution of the country, and appropriate legal steps will be taken in due course," he also said.

In response to questions on the commission on enforced disappearances, the adjutant general said, "A commission has been formed, and we have fully cooperated with it — and continue to do so.

"We have provided the commission with all kinds of cooperation it requested. Whenever it asked for documents, we gave them. We had a number of meetings with the commission. I myself attended a few of these meetings."

He further said, "We will always stand firm and steadfast on the side of justice."