The Mohammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh, and the country's Army are heading for another major standoff. This is the same government that the Army helped establish after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
The current standoff stems from an order by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The tribunal issued arrest warrants for 25 army officers on October 8. Among the 25 names, 16 are serving officers, while 9 are retired.
These officers were charged for their alleged role in the enforced disappearances and torture of political dissidents during the Hasina regime.
Military-Yunus standoff
On October 13, the army said that it had taken “military custody” of 15 of the 16 serving officers.
Now, there is a tug of war over whether the officers will be tried in a civil or a military court.
For two consecutive days after their detention, the ICT’s chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam, had demanded that the officers appear in court. But Bangladesh's military has ignored the call so far.
The army claims that it has not received a warrant in hand and said that it will follow the provisions of the Constitution.
This has led to the showdown between Bangladesh's interim government and the military establishment.
The Yunus government has been using the ICT to go after those responsible for the Hasina-era atrocities.
The army’s decision to keep the officers in custody, instead of formally arresting them, has raised questions about due process.
Army in a huddle
Concerns are being raised over whether the military is attempting to assert control over how the prosecutions unfold.
If arrested, the officers would have to be produced before the special court within 24 hours.
The arrest warrant has also caused unrest within the military establishment.
According to reports, a meeting was held the day after the ICT issued arrest warrants. Several army officers expressed dissent over plans to detain the accused military personnel.
Four generals reportedly warned that large-scale arrests could fracture the cohesion within the force.
The detained officers are expected to face initial hearings before the ICT on October 22.
The hearings will determine whether they are to be released on bail or remanded for further questioning.
These developments come at a time when a four-member team of the Indian Army’s Military Intelligence Unit is reportedly in Dhaka. They are on a two-day visit between October 14 and 16.
The development comes at a time when a four-member team of the Indian Army’s Military Intelligence Unit is reportedly in Dhaka on a two-day visit between October 14 and 16.
