Ziaul Ahsan was never a good officer: Ex-army chief Iqbal tells tribunal
He also said that he had described Ziaul as “a serial killer” even before his promotion to the rank of Colonel
Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, former chief of army staff general (retd), told the International Crimes Tribunal that the major general (retd) Ziaul Ahsan was never a good officer.
He also said that he had described Ziaul "a serial killer" even before his promotion to the rank of Colonel.
Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan made these claims today (18 February) while he was cross-examined in International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, in a case concerning crimes against humanity over the alleged disappearances and killings.
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Ziaul's lawyer, Aminul Gani Titu, conducted the cross-examination, accompanied by lawyer Naznin Nahar and others.
The prosecution team present at the court included Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, along with prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Shaikh Mahdi, Moinul Karim and others.
During cross-examination, lawyer Tito asked Iqbal Karim about the promotions Ziaul Ahsan received during Iqbal's tenure as Army Chief from 2012 to 2015.
The former army chief replied that Ziaul received one promotion, from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel, during his tenure.
When asked how many people recommended the promotion, Iqbal Karim said, "Most members gave their opinions, and based on those opinions Ziaul Ahsan got promotion."
However, Iqbal added that many board members gave their views considering their own future interests.
During that time, Iqbal Karim said that he called Major General Momen and said Ziaul Ahsan was a "serial killer" and Iqbal was not in favour of his promotion.
Then, he instructed Momen to present this view at the promotion board meeting. Momen later presented it accordingly at the meeting.
However, the majority of members described Ziaul as a good officer and recommended his promotion.
Regarding this, Iqbal Karim further claimed, "Ziaul Ahsan was never a good officer. In army, officers are generally not promoted to Lieutenant Colonel without completing Staff College but Ziaul never acquired the qualification to attend Staff College and did not attend it."
"In addition, as a Lieutenant Colonel, Ziaul did not command any battalion, and therefore was not qualified for promotion to Colonel," claimed Iqbal.
He also alleged that after presenting Ziaul like that at the promotion meeting, General Momen was later removed from the army and appointed as Ambassador to Bahrain on deputation.
Iqbal described such postings as "dumping posts".
Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, Ziaul Ahsan was brought to the tribunal from prison in a prison van.
The tribunal has set 23 February as the next date for further cross-examination of Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.
