Published : 30 Aug 2026, 06:27 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:37 AM
The prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is seeking to try around 250 enforced disappearance cases together as a single case of "widespread and systematic" crimes against humanity, rather than as separate offences.
If the process goes as planned, the prosecution hopes to complete its investigation report on these cases within September.
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said the cases were being investigated as "widespread and systematic" crimes given the similarities in how the disappearances were carried out.
250 Disappearances, One Pattern
The chief prosecutor said investigators had found a common pattern across nearly 250 disappearance cases still unresolved.
The list includes BNP leader Ilias Ali and Humayun Kabir Hiru, among others who disappeared at various points between 2011 and before 2024.
"The system or pattern of abduction was the same in each case," Aminul told bdnews24.com.
"Picking someone up from the street, taking them from their homes, or blindfolding them, using microbuses, sometimes in plain clothes, sometimes in uniform, and then keeping their whereabouts hidden and denying any knowledge, these were the common patterns across these disappearances."
Since these incidents occurred extensively across different parts of the country, the tribunal has classified the cases as "widespread and systematic" crimes rather than individual disappearances, he said.
Even though brought under a single case, each victim will have separate charges and identified suspects, Aminul said.
"Rather than trying these separately, bringing them under one trial lets us clearly demonstrate to the court the tribunal's widespread and systematic spirit, and it also saves time."
"If I can complete the investigation the way I'm envisioning it, this will certainly be a historic trial in Bangladesh," he added.
Investigation Report
Five specialist investigation officers are working on these enforced disappearance cases, treating them as a priority crime against humanity.
The chief prosecutor, along with several other prosecutors, is directly overseeing the investigation.
Investigators have already identified where, when and how victims were taken.
Photographs of victims have been collected and statements taken from family members. Some evidence, including CCTV footage, has also been seized, Aminul said.
Around 60 families gave statements to the tribunal last week.
More victims' family members have been called for 11am on Sept 6, where the tribunal has asked them to share their statements along with any information or evidence in their possession.
Much of the evidence in these cases had been deliberately concealed, the chief prosecutor said.
"We're having to rely on different kinds of digital evidence, including call detail records (CDR) and video footage. Investigation team members are visiting different sites and working to map them out."
Progress on the investigation will be reviewed weekly after the Sept 6 meeting, he said. "We're trying to prepare an independent investigation report on the 250 victims within September."
Complaints from individuals who were rescued after being disappeared for extended periods are being investigated separately.
Allegations Against Ziaul
Former National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) director general Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan faces more than 200 disappearance allegations, Aminul said, adding that efforts are under way to conclude his case swiftly.
"Sufficient evidence has already been presented."
He said the case is likely to conclude after testimony from one or two more key witnesses.
Trials are also ongoing over two cases of enforced disappearance and torture at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence's (DGFI) Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) and the Rapid Action Battalion's (RAB) Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) cell, with witness testimony continuing in court, the chief prosecutor said.
"Former brigadier general Abdullahil Amaan Azmi was illegally detained and tortured for years at DGFI's JIC cell, and Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman at RAB's TFI cell.
“Evidence and witness testimony on crimes against humanity committed at these two secret detention centres are currently being presented at the tribunal.”
Aminul said investigators had also found evidence linking Ziaul and several other officials to the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias.
“Certain call records, statements from arrested accused, and testimony from a witness named Imrul Kayes in Ziaul Ahsan's case, along with statements from others, have yielded important information on Ilias Ali's disappearance.”
The disappearances of Ilias and Salahuddin Ahmed are being investigated separately, though both have initially been determined to fall under crimes against humanity, he said.
Over 500 Complaints
The chief prosecutor said complaints of enforced disappearance filed with the tribunal have already crossed 500.
Rights group Mayer Daak has submitted 110 complaints, while the “Gum Foundation” holds allegations involving around 200 to 250 people. Individual complaints exist beyond these.
Altogether, the number of complaints could range between 500 and 700, he said.
Not all complaints will be tried at the tribunal, Aminul said. "Whichever are individual, standalone complaints, we won't keep those at our tribunal. We'll send those to the lower courts."
Proposed Law: Definition, Tribunal's Jurisdiction
The chief prosecutor said the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026 defines enforced disappearance as a distinct criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“Concealing someone's identity or location after a law-enforcing agency takes them away, withholding information about their whereabouts, or detaining them at an unknown location without allowing legal recourse, these would fall under the definition of enforced disappearance. Individual disappearance cases would be tried at the relevant sessions court.”
However, if a disappearance occurs on a widespread scale or follows a similar pattern, it would be tried as a crime against humanity at the International Crimes Tribunal, he added.
"Offences that are widespread or systematic, meaning they occurred extensively or followed a similar pattern, we have taken effective steps to try these as crimes against humanity at the tribunal."
Complaints from those still missing, whose fate remains unconfirmed, are being investigated through a separate process from those who have since been rescued after long periods of disappearance, Aminul said.
No Bar To Internal Force Probe
The proposed law raises no objection to a law-enforcing agency investigating its own members over disappearance allegations, Aminul said.
"In the past too, investigations and trials have taken place against members of the police, RAB and other forces. Investigations require specialised preparation, and a specific force is often more effective for this.
“Human rights organisations, despite wanting to investigate disappearances in various parts of the country, currently lack the necessary preparedness to do so."
He, however, said it was the government's responsibility to ensure the investigating agency remained impartial.
“To prevent existing concerns, the government must ensure the investigation agency conducts a fair investigation,” he added.
