Web Desk; A Bangladeshi court on Wednesday remanded 15 senior army officers, including five generals, in custody on charges of enforced disappearances and atrocities committed during the 2024 uprising that toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina.
This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that formal charges have been brought for enforced disappearances — and the first instance where such a large number of high-ranking military officials are facing trial in a civilian court.
The accused officers are alleged to have operated a secret detention facility during Hasina’s administration. All of them previously served in the Bangladeshi military intelligence or the notorious paramilitary force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
According to defence lawyer Sarwar Hossain, all 15 officers have rejected the allegations. The army has pledged to cooperate with the judicial process, though tensions have risen since arrest warrants were issued earlier this month.
Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam said the accused had declared their respect for the law and the judiciary, which was evident in their cooperation during proceedings.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, in a statement on October 15, welcomed the development, calling it “an important step toward accountability” and “a significant moment for victims and their families.”
The officers were brought to court under tight security, escorted by heavily armed police. Their lawyer expressed confidence that they would be exonerated through due legal process.
The trial is part of a broader effort by Bangladeshi authorities to prosecute former senior figures associated with Hasina — now living in exile in India — and her banned Awami League party.
According to UN figures, around 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 during violent clashes as security forces tried to crush mass protests.
Under Hasina’s leadership, RAB forces were accused of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses, leading to US sanctions in 2021.
Hasina, 78, fled to New Delhi last year and has refused to return to face trial for crimes against humanity linked to the deadly crackdown. Her trial in absentia has reached its final stages, with prosecutors demanding the death penalty.
However, Hasina’s Awami League insists that she categorically denies all allegations.
