Ex-army chief Shafiuddin, 2 officers accused of enforced disappearance in Int’l Crimes Tribunal

Former army chief General (retd) SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and two other retired army officers have been accused of involvement in enforced disappearances in a complaint submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal.

The other two officers are Lieutenant General (retd) Md Akbar Hossain and Major General (retd) Md Sarwar Hossain.

The complaint was filed by Major (retd) M Sarwar Hossain, who after leaving the army became a Supreme Court lawyer, yesterday to the Tribunal's investigation agency in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

In the complaint, Sarwar alleges that he was subjected to an attempted enforced disappearance in 2016.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Barrister Sarwar said, "I have submitted information regarding the enforced disappearance to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. Now I have formally filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal."

According to the complaint, the three retired officers are accused of being complicit in upholding an authoritarian regime and are responsible for abductions, killings, and maintaining secret detention centres, including the infamous "Aynaghar" facility. 

Sarwar alleges that on 27 October 2016, he was summoned by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) to its headquarters to "have a cup of tea".

There, he was threatened with being taken to a secret detention centre for speaking out against the government. He was held there for 11 hours before being released.

Sarwar, who served in the army for 20 years, retired voluntarily in 2007 and began practising law. 

Since 2008, he has been vocal about issues like good governance, justice, democracy, and human rights, frequently participating in both national and international media forums.

In the complaint, Sarwar said, "The accused individuals cannot tolerate criticism. Since I speak about democracy, governance, and human rights, and criticise fascist regimes, they were furious with me."

In his complaint, Sarwar also alleged General (retd) Shafiuddin is accused of suppressing dissent, committing human rights violations, and aiding in the manipulation of the 2024 elections, which Sarwar claims destroyed democracy in the country.

Lieutenant General (retd) Md Akbar Hossain is alleged to have detained numerous people in secret prisons while serving at the DGFI from 2010 to 2018. 

He is also accused of involvement in extrajudicial killings and supporting the rigged elections of 2014 and 2018.

The complaint against Major General (retd) Md Sarwar Hossain states that during his time as DGFI director in 2015-16, he was involved in enforced disappearances, killings, and multiple human rights violations. 

Barrister Sarwar also accuses him of being a key figure in maintaining the previous authoritarian regime. 

In addition to filing the complaint, Sarwar has requested the Tribunal to impose a travel ban on the accused officers until the investigation is completed.