Bir Pratik awardee Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he was abducted twice during the Awami League’s one-and-a-half-decade rule. He said he was interrogated at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence’s (DGFI) ‘Aynaghar’ facility about his writings on the 2014 election, the Awami League’s relations with India, and the then army chief General Aziz. According to his statement, interrogators told him he was abducted on Sheikh Hasina’s orders and threatened with disappearance if he did not comply.

Hasinur described being first abducted on July 9, 2011, while serving at Mymensingh Cantonment, and held blindfolded for 43 days. He was later court-martialed on what he called false charges and imprisoned for four years before being released. He said he was again abducted on August 8, 2018, and detained in a small, bloodstained cell under harsh conditions. He recounted physical torture, psychological abuse, and threats of death.

The tribunal recorded his testimony as the second witness in a crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina and 12 current and former army officers. The hearing was adjourned for continuation of his incomplete statement.