Dhaka, Feb 09 (V7N)- The testimony of former army chief General (retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan against former senior RAB officer Ziaul Ahsan has concluded at the International Crimes Tribunal-1, shedding light on what he described as a long‑standing culture of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings involving members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and military officers deputed to the force.

Appearing before the tribunal led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder on Monday, Bhuiyan alleged that certain officers working in RAB were involved in killings in exchange for money and that bodies were deliberately disposed of to erase evidence.

During his testimony in the case concerning the alleged disappearance and killing of 104 people, the former army chief called for the immediate abolition of RAB, or alternatively, the withdrawal of all military personnel from the force. He also demanded the abolition of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), claiming it had lost its legitimacy due to its alleged involvement in unlawful activities.

Referring to the deaths during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in 2013, Bhuiyan said he had received information from multiple sources indicating systematic efforts to conceal killings. Disturbed by these reports, he said he undertook initiatives within the army to discourage officers from participating in such actions and emphasized accountability and adherence to the law.

Bhuiyan further testified that when he realized such practices were continuing, he stopped posting officers from the army, DGFI, BGB and RAB to certain assignments—despite facing intense pressure. He said the pressure continued even during his meetings with then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but he stood firm until his retirement.

Describing his tenure as painful, the former army chief said he felt burdened by the inability to stop all such activities at the time. “Today, the opportunity has come to complete the task that I could not do then,” he told the tribunal.

Addressing criticism that his stance could harm the image of the army, Bhuiyan said accountability would instead strengthen the institution. “Self‑purification will not diminish the glory of the army; it will elevate it. The nation must know that the army does not protect the guilty,” he said.

The tribunal continues to hear testimony in the high‑profile case involving allegations of enforced disappearances during previous administrations.

END/SMA/AJ