ICT-1 Issues Arrest Warrant for Air Force Officer Saifur over Ilias Ali Disappearance
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday issued an arrest warrant against Bangladesh Air Force Wing Commander Saifur Rahman Saif over the enforced disappearance of BNP leader M Ilias Ali and his driver Ansar Ali in 2012.
The tribunal issued the warrant following an application by the prosecution in the crimes against humanity case. Prosecutor Shyikh Mahdi said the investigation had found the primary involvement of Saifur Rahman in the enforced disappearance of Ilias Ali.
According to the prosecution, Saifur was serving as a Squadron Leader and was posted to the intelligence wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at the time of Ilias Ali’s disappearance. The tribunal’s investigation has reportedly found information indicating that a second attempt was made to abduct Ilias after an earlier attempt had failed, with then-RAB intelligence director Ziaul Ahsan allegedly leading the operation.
Ilias Ali, then a BNP organising secretary for Sylhet division and a former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal general secretary, went missing along with his driver on the night of April 17, 2012. He had previously served twice as a member of parliament from Sylhet-2.
The case remains at the investigation stage. Prosecutor Shyikh Mahdi also said the prosecution was not aware of reports circulating on social media that Saifur Rahman had already been taken into custody. Former army officer Major General (relieved) Ziaul Ahsan has already been arrested in connection with the case.
Relevant news reports in this regard are as follows –
Amar Desh – https://www.dailyamardesh.com/court-law/amdivrezapknr
Daily Star – https://www.thedailystar.net/news/crime-justice/news/ilias-ali-disappearance-ict-issues-arrest-warrant-air-force-officer-saifur-rahman-4243636
Daily New Age – https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/309195/ict-issues-arrest-warrant-for-baf-officer-saifur-over-ilias-ali-disappearance
Daily Star (Bangla) – https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news-3950536
Bangladesh Pratidin – https://www.bd-pratidin.com/national/2026/08/09/1285812
Star News (Digital)