ICT seeks Interpol red notice for ex-Army chief Aziz Ahmed

A letter has been sent seeking the issuance of an ‘Interpol red notice’ to arrest former army chief General Aziz Ahmed, an accused in a case involving crimes against humanity.

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutors have sought an Interpol red notice for former Army chief Aziz Ahmed over a “crimes against humanity” case stemming from the 2013 crackdown on a Hifazat-e Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel. ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam announced the move on Tuesday.

The ICT chief prosecutor’s office has written to the National Central Bureau (NCB) at Bangladesh Police Headquarters, asking it to take the necessary steps.

The development follows an arrest warrant issued for retired general Aziz after prosecutors filed formal charges against 41 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over the Shapla Chattar events.

On May 5, 2013, Hifazat called a rally in Motijheel, demanding punishment for bloggers amid the Shahbagh movement.

Violence and vandalism broke out across the Motijheel area surrounding the demonstration.
Security forces carried out a joint operation later that night to clear Hifazat supporters from the area.

After the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, Hifazat Joint Secretary General Azizul Haque Islamabadi lodged a complaint with the ICT over the incident on Aug 20 that year, prompting a fresh investigation.

Prosecutors filed formal charges against 41 people, including Hasina, on Jul 27.
The tribunal took cognisance of the charges and issued arrest warrants for 31 defendants described as fugitives, including Aziz.

Aziz was serving as director general of Border Guard Bangladesh when the Shapla Chattar operation took place.

He later served as Bangladesh’s Army chief from Jun 25, 2018 to Jun 24, 2021.