Ilias Ali disappearance: ICT issues arrest warrant against Air Force officer

 

Collage:

Prosecution alleges Wing Commander Saif's involvement in disappearance

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued an arrest warrant against Bangladesh Air Force Wing Commander Saifur Rahman Saif over the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali.

The tribunal issued the warrant thi noon (9 August) following an application from the prosecution.

Earlier, the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the ICT had applied to show Wing Commander Saifur Rahman arrested over his alleged involvement in Ilias Ali's disappearance. The application was filed with the tribunal on Thursday.

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam confirmed the matter, saying information had emerged indicating Saifur Rahman's involvement in the disappearance of Ilias Ali.

"Information has been found regarding Wing Commander Saifur Rahman's involvement in the disappearance of Ilias Ali. That is why an application was filed with the tribunal to show him arrested," he said.

The prosecution said the officer was recently detained from his residence by the Provost, a specialised military police branch responsible for maintaining discipline within the force, ensuring security and controlling crime.

He was later held in the custody of a special cell of the force, the prosecution said.

Ilias Ali, then BNP organising secretary and a former parliament member, and his driver Ansar Ali went missing from Dhaka's Banani area on the night of 17 April 2012.

They have not been traced since.