Bangladesh to Prosecute Decades-Long Fugitive in Assassination Case, Bolster Border Security
After 45 years on the run, a key accused in the assassination of former President Ziaur Rahman will face a military trial. Major (retd) Mozaffar Hossain, 77, was recently arrested and handed over to the Bangladesh Army.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Monday that Mozaffar Hossain will be tried under military law through a general court martial. The minister shared this information at a press conference in Dhaka. Mozaffar Hossain was a fugitive for many years, reportedly living in a neighboring country under a false identity.
The Home Minister said that Mozaffar Hossain’s associates were tried earlier by a military court. Those previous proceedings contain observations relevant to Mozaffar, which the general court martial will consider. Civil law proceedings for Mozaffar will be examined at a later stage, if legally permissible. The minister explained that a person cannot be tried twice for the same offense under different legal systems at the same time. Mozaffar Hossain was arrested on July 15 in Banani, Dhaka, and transferred to the military police at Dhaka Cantonment on July 16.
Home Minister Ahmed also highlighted the critical security situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. He noted that frequent clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army pose risks. Insurgent groups like the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) are active there.
These conflicts often spill over into Bangladesh’s border areas. This has led to increased drug trafficking and incidents where Bangladeshi citizens have been killed or injured by cross-border fire. To address these issues, the government is considering building a 109-kilometer barbed-wire fence. Mine-detection equipment has also been supplied to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to prevent landmine accidents.
Regarding alleged “push-ins” from India, the Home Minister stated that Bangladesh has not allowed illegal entries. He affirmed that the BGB and local residents have successfully prevented such attempts. While a small number of illegal entries occurred, they were handled according to the law.
Bangladesh will engage with India’s central government on this matter. Any Bangladeshi nationals residing in India must be identified through official lists sent via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh will verify their citizenship, and if confirmed, they will be repatriated through legal channels.
The government also announced plans to strengthen the BGB. This includes using its dog squad more effectively, a provision supported by the government’s new narcotics control law. The BGB will also receive more human resources, vehicles, and modern equipment and weapons. Furthermore, the “Aid to Civil Power” program will be expanded and reinforced.
