Summary:
- The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued an arrest warrant for ex-RAB DG Md Harun-or-Rashid over allegations of firing on protesters from helicopters during the 2024 mass uprising.
- Harun is accused of orchestrating violence, including shootings, torture, and running over protesters with vehicles, under his command responsibility.
- Evidence includes the death of Sumaiya Akter, allegedly shot by a RAB helicopter, contradicting RAB’s denial of using live ammunition.
- Investigations continue into other suspects, with 96 arrest warrants issued, including for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and top officials.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued an arrest warrant for Md Harun-or-Rashid, the former Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), over allegations of crimes against humanity during the mass protests of July and August 2024. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, made the decision on January 26, 2025, following a petition from the prosecution.
The investigation has uncovered preliminary evidence suggesting that RAB personnel, under Harun’s leadership, fired live bullets at protesters from helicopters. These actions reportedly resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. Harun is accused of orchestrating these attacks, which included shootings, torture, and the use of RAB vehicles to harm protesters. Prosecutors claim that as DG, Harun not only planned and authorized these acts but also failed to prevent them, making him liable under the principle of command responsibility.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam stated, “Harun orchestrated these crimes through RAB. As the DG, he had the authority to prevent or punish the perpetrators but failed to do so.” The tribunal has scheduled a hearing for March 23 to assess the progress of the investigation. If Harun is apprehended before that date, he will be presented before the court immediately.
The allegations include a particularly harrowing incident involving Sumaiya Akter, a 20-year-old mother who was fatally shot while standing on her balcony in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, on July 20. Her mother, Asma Begum, alleged that the bullet came from a helicopter flying overhead during clashes between protesters and law enforcement. This incident has been cited as evidence supporting claims that live ammunition was fired from helicopters.
RAB has denied any involvement in such actions. In official statements issued in July 2024, RAB claimed that only tear gas canisters and sound grenades were used during crowd control efforts. However, these denials have been contradicted by eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence presented during the investigation.
In addition to Harun’s case, the tribunal has granted permission to interrogate two other individuals—Sub-Inspector Abdul Malek and Constable Mukul—regarding their alleged involvement in burning six protesters’ bodies in Ashulia during the same period. The interrogations are scheduled for January 28 and January 30.
The tribunal’s investigation is part of a broader effort to address allegations of state violence during the protests. Arrest warrants have been issued for 96 individuals so far, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several high-ranking officials. The July-August uprising marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape, culminating in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5, 2024.
This case underscores growing demands for accountability regarding human rights violations during the protests. The ICT’s findings have raised serious questions about the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies under government directives. As investigations continue, the tribunal aims to uncover the full extent of these alleged crimes and bring those responsible to justice.
Source: The Daily Star
