Former Rab Commander Alleges Staged Killings in Crimes Against Humanity Trial

A former commander of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has alleged that several operations in Bhola and the Sundarbans, which were officially reported as "gunfights with bandits," may have been staged killings. Retired Brig Gen Monirul Haque made this accusation while testifying as a prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against Maj Gen (relieved) Ziaul Ahsan before the International Crimes Tribunal-1.

Haque described how Rab’s Intelligence Wing allegedly operated outside legal boundaries to carry out extrajudicial killings. He served as the commanding officer of Rab-8 from 2008 to 2012 and was cross-examined by Ziaul's defense counsel at the tribunal.

During his testimony, Haque acknowledged that pirate and bandit groups had long terrorized the Sundarbans region, extorting money, abducting people for ransom, and killing victims. He confirmed that these activities made life difficult for local residents during his tenure. However, he stated he could not recall specific details about Rab-8 conducting numerous operations in 2010, 2011, and 2012 that resulted in multiple deaths.

Ziaul Ahsan is the sole defendant in this case. Prosecutors contend that he orchestrated the enforced disappearance and murder of 104 individuals between 2010 and 2013.

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Yes.