Tarique Rahman was tortured in DGFI detention centre during 1/11: Tribunal chief prosecutor

Tarique Rahman, now the prime minister, was detained and tortured in a secret detention facility operated by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) during the 1/11 period, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has said.

Speaking to journalists after visiting the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), a secret detention facility known as "Aynaghar", in Dhaka Cantonment today (8 August), he said the erstwhile government had established an "inhumane state" and that the facility was used as a torture cell.

"Many people with dissenting views were kept in these torture cells for months and years," he said.

"During 1/11, the current prime minister, Tarique Rahman, was detained and tortured at the JIC," Aminul said.

He said initiatives have been taken to bring those involved in operating the torture cells to justice.

"Those whose involvement is found in the future will also be brought under the law," he added.

Aminul alleged that many pieces of evidence at the JIC have been destroyed after 5 August 2024.

"Many places were covered with walls and numerous pieces of information and evidence were destroyed," he said.

The chief prosecutor said judges have the legal authority to inspect crime scenes and that such visits play an important role in ensuring justice.

Regarding the JIC visit, he said assessing the site's current condition and understanding the evidence and information there are crucial to ensuring justice.

Three judges of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 visited the secret detention facility at the DGFI headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.

The inspection team was led by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza and included the chief prosecutor and defence lawyers.

The judges had earlier visited a detention facility, allegedly operated by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), in Uttara on 1 August.

According to the prosecution, two cases are pending before the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations of enforced disappearance and detention at RAB and DGFI facilities.

The visits are part of the tribunal's proceedings.

The Chief Prosecutor said three judges, journalist Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, and members of the prosecution and defence teams visited the facility as part of the trial proceedings.

He said Brigadier Azmi and others were detained and tortured there. He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was brought to one of the JIC rooms and tortured during the 1/11 period, based on witness accounts gathered by investigators.

The Chief Prosecutor said the Sheikh Hasina-led government had established an "inhumane state", with overzealous law enforcers setting up torture cells such as Aynaghar to serve the government's interests.

Political and Islamic leaders, as well as others with differing views, were detained there, many of whom were later subjected to enforced disappearance, while others endured months or years of torture.

He said several officials linked to the DGFI and JIC had already been brought to trial, while others found to be involved would also face justice.

The Chief Prosecutor also said Hummam Quader Chowdhury was detained at the JIC and had left a handwritten marking indicating how long he had been held there. Although a marking identified as "HQC" had been painted over and plastered, his writing remains visible in one of the rooms.

Investigators found that the room matched his account and sealed it and related evidence until the trial concludes.