Former Army Chief General (Retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan is set to testify in a case against Major General (Retd.) Ziaul Ahsan, who faces charges of crimes against humanity related to enforced disappearances and killings. Prosecutor Sheikh Mahdi shared this information during a briefing at the International Crimes Tribunal premises on Thursday.

Thursday was scheduled for the defense to present its arguments on the formal framing of charges against Ziaul Ahsan at International Crimes Tribunal–1. The three-member tribunal is led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other members.

After the defense requested dismissal, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam presented the prosecution’s case. In his statement, he highlighted portions of testimony previously given by former Army Chief General (Retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan regarding Ziaul Ahsan.

When asked what the Chief Prosecutor had stated, Prosecutor Sheikh Mahdi said, “The matter will become fully clear when he gives his in-person testimony. Today, we have only read out excerpts from our evidence showing how the defense attempted to portray Ziaul Ahsan as a professional officer. Through these excerpts, the court can see the views of the head of the army at that time regarding him.”

Sheikh Mahdi added, “We have read out parts of his testimony to the court, but the full details of what he will say will be revealed when he appears in person to testify.”

He also confirmed that former Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has already submitted a statement to the tribunal’s investigation agency and is scheduled to testify in court for this case.

Ziaul Ahsan is the sole accused in this case. The tribunal is expected to rule on whether formal charges will be framed against him on January 14.

The prosecution filed formal charges on December 17, accusing Ziaul Ahsan of involvement in the disappearance and killing of more than a hundred people.

Ziaul Ahsan, a former army officer and ex-director of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), was arrested in mid-August 2024 from the Khilkhet area of Dhaka.