ICT-1 Judges visit Secret Detention Center named ‘TFI Cell’ at Uttara, Dhaka

ICT-1 Judges Inspect ‘Aynaghar’ Secret Detention Cell at Rab Headquarters

Three judges of International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Saturday inspected the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) Cell, widely known as ‘Aynaghar’, at the headquarters of Rab-1 in Uttara, Dhaka, in connection with ongoing proceedings concerning allegations of enforced disappearance, torture and other crimes against humanity.

The inspection, which began at around 11 am, was carried out by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Member Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Hoque Anam Chowdhury.

Members of the prosecution team, as well as lawyers representing the accused, also accompanied the judges during the visit.

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, Faruk Ahmed, Barrister Shyikh Mahdi, Shahidul Islam Sardar, and Tasmirul Islam were among those present.

The tribunal’s visit followed an application submitted by the prosecution on July 21, seeking permission to inspect alleged secret detention facilities, or ‘Aynaghars’, operated by Rab, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the Detective Branch (DB).

During the application, the Chief Prosecutor had placed before the tribunal allegations that, during the Awami League government’s prolonged tenure, people holding opposing political views were allegedly picked up, secretly detained, tortured and subjected to enforced disappearance at such facilities.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam described the TFI Cell as a place that continues to bear testimony to what he called the “horrors of the fascist state system” under the previous Awami League government.

“This is not a fictional story. Rather, it is the brutal reality of enforced disappearances, torture and crimes against humanity committed during the rule of the then Awami League government,” he said.

Describing what the judges and prosecution team saw inside the facility, Aminul Islam said the scene was “extremely horrifying”.

“We found 29 cells, both large and small. During the Awami League government’s rule, people holding opposing views were allegedly picked up and kept there for years, where they were subjected to brutal torture,” he said.

He further alleged that some detainees were held for prolonged periods before being handed over to police and shown as arrested in various fabricated cases, while others were allegedly killed and their bodies subsequently disappeared.

According to the Chief Prosecutor, several victims who were rescued following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, have since submitted complaints to the International Crimes Tribunal. Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem Arman is among those who have come forward, he said.

A case concerning alleged crimes against humanity arising from enforced disappearance and torture at the TFI Cell is currently being tried before the tribunal, Aminul Islam added.

He said the authorities had so far been unable to trace more than 250 people believed to have been victims of enforced disappearance or killing, including BNP leader Ilias Ali and Suman.

Aminul Islam also claimed that the current Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, had been detained at the TFI Cell.

“The current Home Minister was also detained in one of the rooms of the TFI Cell. He was later taken to India and released. We have obtained such information from the accounts of various witnesses and through our investigations,” he said.

The Chief Prosecutor said the prosecution was working to establish responsibility for the alleged abuses, including the responsibility of those who exercised authority at the field level and those who allegedly facilitated the commission of crimes against humanity.

“We believe that everyone who was responsible should be brought under the law. Our prosecution team and the investigation agency are working together towards that objective,” he said.

He also assured that proceedings before the tribunal would continue to be conducted with transparency, impartiality and adherence to international standards.

The judges’ inspection of the TFI Cell marks a significant step in the tribunal’s examination of the alleged secret detention and torture facilities that have featured prominently in cases concerning enforced disappearance and crimes against humanity during the previous government’s tenure.

Relevant news reports in this regard are as follows –

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha – https://www.bssnews.net/bangla/law-and-courts/328952

Amar Desh – https://www.dailyamardesh.com/national/amdxamkhlid7g

Kaler Kantha – https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2026/08/01/1719323

Jugantor – https://www.jugantor.com/national/1134624

Dhaka Post – https://www.dhakapost.com/law-courts/471549

https://www.dhakapost.com/national/471605

https://www.dhakapost.com/national/471707

Bangladesh Protidin – https://www.bd-pratidin.com/first-page/2026/08/02/1282579

Daily Waadaa – https://www.dailywaadaa.com/bangladesh/2026/08/01/awami-league-used-aynaghar-to-institutionalise-harsh-fascist-regime-ict-chief-prosecutor

The Business Standard – https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ict-judges-prosecution-team-visit-aynaghor-1503606

Dhaka Mail – https://dhakamail.com/law-courts/319840