Fifteen army officers named in the charge sheet of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) have been taken into custody, the Army Headquarters confirmed on Saturday.

Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman made the announcement during a briefing at Dhaka Cantonment regarding cases involving members of the armed forces.

He stated that the army has not received any copy of a warrant related to enforced disappearances. “The army has not been served with any warrant papers. Orders have been issued to take 16 personnel under army custody, including one LPR and 15 serving officers. Of them, 15 have already been detained, while one is in hiding. Nine others are currently retired,” he said.

The officer further noted that Major General Kabir has gone into hiding, and efforts are ongoing to prevent him from leaving the country.

He added that the individuals named in the warrant are required to appear before the court by 22 October. “Legal interpretation regarding this warrant is necessary. Therefore, further steps to produce them before the tribunal on 22 October will be taken according to the legal guidance,” he said.

Major General Hakimuzzaman also emphasised that the army is sympathetic to the families of the victims of enforced disappearances and remains firmly committed to the prosecution of all crimes. “The army continues to support both the trial process and the Disappearance Commission,” he added.

The ICT issued warrants for the arrests of 25 former and serving army officers on charges of crimes against humanity. The tribunal had directed the concerned authorities last Wednesday (8 October) to apprehend the officers by 21 October and produce them before the court on 22 October.