The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) picked up people — including ministers and political figures — and detained them in DGFI cells for interrogation between 2007 and 2009, former army chief General (retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday. Testifying as a prosecution witness in a crimes against humanity case against former army officer Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan, Iqbal Karim said the DGFI had emerged as the main controlling authority during that period. The case involves allegations against Ziaul Ahsan over his role in more than a hundred incidents of enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government’s rule. In his deposition, Iqbal Karim said that detaining civilians in DGFI cells became a routine practice, and over time, a psychological barrier disappeared, leading officers to believe they could do anything to detainees at will. As part of that process, Iqbal Karim appeared as the first witness.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 08, 2026 16:04 UTC