Mahmudul Hasan, a private sector official, testified on Monday before International Crimes Tribunal-1 as the fifth witness in a case against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, and several current and former army officers. He stated that he was abducted on June 20, 2016, for posting critical comments about the Awami League government on Facebook. Hasan described being detained in isolation and subjected to severe torture, including electric shocks and beatings, while being pressured to confess to militancy.

In his testimony, Hasan said he was kept handcuffed for long periods, denied religious observance during Ramadan, and shown disturbing images to coerce confessions. He recounted being later presented to the media by RAB officers, who claimed he had been arrested from a nearby building, and then charged under multiple laws, including the Arms Act and Anti-Terrorism Act. After 25 months in jail, he was released on bail but was again detained for 16 days by counterterrorism officials before being freed upon signing a bond.

Hasan demanded exemplary punishment for those he alleged were involved, including RAB’s intelligence wing, the Home Ministry, and the then government.