Ex-Army Officer Claims Hasina Was Held Under His Custody During Ershad’s Martial Law

A former military officer, Abdullahil Aman Azmi, told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that Sheikh Hasina, along with Matia Chowdhury and Sahara Khatun, had been detained under his supervision in 1983 during the martial law regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Azmi made the statement on Monday while being cross-examined in a case involving alleged enforced disappearances at a Joint Interrogation Cell during the Awami League regime. The questioning was conducted by defense lawyer Azizur Rahman.

During the hearing, Azmi said he had multiple encounters with Sheikh Hasina in 1983 and was stationed with his unit at a residence on Hare Road in Dhaka, where he was responsible under martial law. He claimed that Hasina, Matia Chowdhury, and Sahara Khatun were held there for several days under his authority.

He also stated that an interim government had issued a gazette on February 5, 2026, promoting him to the ranks of major general and lieutenant general. However, he said he continued to use the title of retired brigadier general in his testimony as the Bangladesh Army had not formally implemented the promotion.

Azmi further told the tribunal that he received Tk 40 million from the army as house rent, following his appeal. He denied claims that the amount was provided as compensation for detention, saying it was not awarded based on any court of inquiry recommendation.

In the case, three former DGFI chiefs—Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain, Mahbubur Rahman Siddiqui, and Ahmed Tanvir Mazahar Siddiqui—are currently in custody and were produced before the tribunal.

The remaining 10 accused are absconding, including several former DGFI chiefs such as Md. Akbar Hossain, Md. Saiful Abedin, Md. Saiful Alam, Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, and Hamidul Haque.

Also among those on the run are Mohammad Touhidul Islam, Kabir Ahmed, and Makhsurul Haque, as well as former PM Sheikh Hasina and her defense adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique.