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DHAKA, June 21, 2026 (BSS) – A new witness in a case against Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan, involving allegations of enforced disappearances and over 100 killings,  testified today, describing how he learned of Ziaul Ahsan’s alleged role in the enforced disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali.

Imrul Kayes, a warrant officer of the Bangladesh Army posted at Rangpur Cantonment, appeared as the fifth prosecution witness at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 and said he was deputed to the RAB Headquarters in 2010 and later served as runner to the then RAB Intelligence Wing Director Ziaul Ahsan.

“I, along with Zia sir (Major General Ziaul Ahsan), Major Nowshad sir, and Squadron Leader Saif sir, went to the Mohakhali Flyover area on April 13, 2012.

 I did not know who the target was. Zia sir was making repeated phone calls, trying to find out when the target would arrive. Later, we learned that the target would not come.

 After that, I dropped Zia sir at his residence and went on a nine-day leave. During my leave, I learned from the media that BNP leader Ilias Ali had been abducted from the Mohakhali Flyover area,” the witness said.

Kayes said he rejoined duty at RAB Headquarters on April 23 and found a tense atmosphere there.

“I learned from my colleagues that Zia sir had destroyed the in-and-out register of the armoury and CCTV footage. 

One day, Zia sir was talking with Tarique (Major General (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, the then defence adviser to the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina) on the phone and said in an accusatory tone, ‘Sir, I “golfed” Ilias as per your direction, and now you are doing this! Better, I am a commando, post me in any jungle; it would be better for me.’”

The witness in his detailed testimony described how his former boss and his men abducted and killed many people in cold blood.

At the end of his testimony, Imrul Kayes pleaded for safety from the tribunal.