Witness Cross-Examined in Crimes Against Humanity Trial Involving Former RAB Officers

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Testimony continued Monday at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a landmark case involving allegations of enforced disappearances at the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) Torture and Interrogation Cell (TFI). The fifth prosecution witness, Mahmudul Hasan, faced rigorous cross-examination by defense counsel regarding his alleged history of militant activities and his subsequent dealings with law enforcement.

During the proceedings, defense attorney Md. Shahinur Islam questioned Hasan about a formal undertaking provided to the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit. Under the terms of that agreement, Hasan had pledged to renounce anti-state activities and pursue a normal life. Under further questioning, the witness stated he could not confirm if mainstream media outlets had previously reported on his alleged involvement with extremist groups, his recruitment of female members, or his reported status as a southern regional commander for the banned organization Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

Hasan acknowledged that three criminal cases remain pending against him, with investigation reports already submitted by authorities. When asked why he had not contested the findings of these reports, the witness testified that he feared potential repercussions for challenging the officials involved in his case.

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The ongoing trial focuses on human rights abuses and enforced disappearances allegedly carried out under the previous administration. Ten military officers, currently held at the Dhaka Cantonment sub-jail, were produced in court for the hearing. These include Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, Tofael Mustafa Sarwar, Md. Kamrul Hasan, Md. Mahabub Alam, K.M. Azad, Colonel Abdullah Al Momen, Anwar Latif Khan, Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mashiur Rahman, Saiful Islam, and Md. Sarwar Bin Kashem.

Seven additional defendants named in the case remain at large. This list includes former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her former security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed, who later served as Inspector General of Police. Also listed as fugitives are M. Khurshid Hossain, Md. Harun-or-Rashid, and retired Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Khairul Islam.