Madrasah teacher Tajul Islam testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday, describing his abduction and prolonged detention by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). He stated that he was held in isolation for one year and eight months, during which he was repeatedly beaten and pressured to confess involvement in militant activities. Tajul said he was taken from his workplace in Manikganj in April 2015 by 10 to 15 men and later learned that DGFI had detained him.

According to his testimony, he was interrogated and tortured in several secret facilities, including rooms marked with RAB-4 and RAB-10, before being handed over to Akbar Shah police in Chattogram in December 2016. He said false cases were filed against him under anti-terrorism and arms laws, and he spent eight years in prison before being released on bail in January 2025. Tajul named former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her military adviser Tarique Siddique, and DGFI officials as responsible for his abduction and demanded justice.

The case is part of an ongoing crimes against humanity trial concerning enforced disappearances allegedly carried out during the Awami League government’s rule.