On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal ordered the imprisonment of 15 active-duty military officers. They are set to face trial on grave accusations including enforced disappearances, murders, and custodial tortures allegedly committed during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
These officers, previously held in Bangladesh Army custody, were brought before the tribunal under strict security on the same day.
The Army had initially taken these 15 officers into custody on October 11, following a special tribunal order for their arrest to face charges of alleged crimes against humanity.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam confirmed to reporters after the proceedings that the tribunal mandated the imprisonment of the 15 Army officers, presented that day, in connection with allegations of enforced disappearances, murders, and custodial tortures.
He further clarified that the tribunal declined to entertain immediate bail petitions, emphasizing that a formal process for such pleas exists, and the officers are permitted to submit official applications before the next scheduled hearing on November 5.
In a related directive, the tribunal, presided over by Justice M. Golam Mortuza Mojumder, also issued orders for the arrest and presentation of former Prime Minister Hasina, currently considered a “fugitive,” along with other accused individuals who are evading authorities.
Earlier that day, the 15 officers were transported from Dhaka Cantonment, where they had been held under military custody since their arrest warrants were issued, to the tribunal in a green bus amidst formidable security measures by prison authorities.
Among the detainees were a major general, six brigadier generals, and numerous colonels, lieutenant colonels, and a major. They appeared in civilian attire, surrounded by extensive security provided by riot police and paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel.
Following their appearance, they were returned to a designated “sub-jail” facility within the cantonment, remaining under the supervision of prison authorities.
Defence lawyer Barrister Sarwar Hossain informed the media that the officers intend to file two petitions: one seeking bail, and another requesting confinement under special custody should bail be denied.
These events unfold against a backdrop of intense political tensions, with general elections anticipated in February of the upcoming year. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has notably revised the tribunal law, enabling the prosecution of leaders from the former Hasina regime.
The decision to try active-duty officers in a civil court, under the amended International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD) law, instead of military jurisdiction, has reportedly caused considerable apprehension within the armed forces.
Earlier, an ICT-BD prosecutor issued a warning to the Army on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, stating that the 15 officers would be declared “fugitives” if they failed to appear before the tribunal on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
ICT-BD Prosecutor Gazi MAE Tamim elaborated, “Should they fail to appear or not be produced tomorrow, the tribunal will establish a new date. Failure to appear on that subsequent date would result in their official declaration as absconding.”
The tribunal’s actions stemmed from warrants issued on October 8 against 16 active-duty Army officers and 14 other individuals, including Hasina, for their alleged involvement in “enforced disappearances or abduction and torture of political dissidents” during the previous Awami League administration.
After the warrants were issued, the Army stated that it had taken 15 of the 16 officers into military custody. However, they also asserted that they had not yet received formal copies of the tribunal’s orders.
The 16th officer, identified as a former military secretary to Hasina, is still at large, with measures reportedly underway to prevent his departure from the country.
Concerns have been voiced by several former Army officers and security analysts, who suggest that the trial of active-duty military personnel in a civil court under the revised ICT-BD law, rather than through established military legal channels, could potentially undermine the morale of the armed forces.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a significant political power led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, recently warned the interim government against actions that might provoke the Army.
During a meeting with various political parties, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed conveyed to Yunus, “We (BNP) advocate for maintaining strong relations with the armed forces; we wish to avoid any risks, as the nation cannot afford them.”
Ahmed further emphasized that the BNP desires to prevent any “imbalance in the armed forces,” a situation he indicated the country could not afford, especially with general elections slated for February next year.
Originally established in 2010 during Hasina’s government, the ICT-BD was designed to prosecute individuals who collaborated with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War. However, it is now being utilized to address alleged human rights abuses that occurred during Hasina’s own term.
Currently, many senior Awami League leaders and key figures from the previous government are either incarcerated or in hiding. Despite ongoing police crackdowns, party activists persist in organizing spontaneous protests across Dhaka and other major cities.
For instance, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Dhaka witnessed several such impromptu marches, leading to the arrest of at least six protestors by police.