Digital Trail Uncovers Decades-Long Fugitive in 1981 Presidential Assassination
More than four decades after a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history, a 77-year-old former army officer has been arrested, ending his 45-year run as a fugitive. Mozzaffar Hossain is accused of involvement in the 1981 assassination of then-President Ziaur Rahman. His capture comes after a complex investigation that started with a forensic analysis of a mobile phone in an unrelated case.
The breakthrough began during the July mass uprising. Investigators from the International Crimes Tribunal’s agency were examining the phone of Masud Uddin Chowdhury, who was arrested in a separate crimes against humanity case. Their analysis uncovered several suspicious phone numbers linked to Chowdhury.
These unusual numbers were sent to the police for further identification. Following this lead, police identified the caller as Mozzaffar Hossain. Prosecutors at the International Crimes Tribunal confirmed this information.
Lieutenant General Masud Uddin (retd), a prominent figure during the 2007-08 caretaker government, had been arrested on March 23. His mobile phone records showed that since 2023, a single individual had been communicating with him using multiple phone numbers. These calls and messages were brief and originated from Banani and Mirpur DOHS areas in the capital.
Investigators found that the SIM cards for these numbers were registered under false identities. Initially, the International Crimes Tribunal’s team could not identify the person behind these numbers. They then forwarded the details to police headquarters.
Police investigation revealed that the individual communicating with Masud Uddin was Mozzaffar Hossain, the former army officer sought for 45 years. The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Mozzaffar Hossain from a residence in Banani on Wednesday night. He was later handed over to the Military Police at Dhaka Cantonment.
President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in the early hours of May 30, 1981, at the Chittagong Circuit House. He had traveled to Chattogram to resolve internal disputes within his party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Historical accounts suggest that Mozzaffar Hossain was among the armed officers present at the Circuit House during the killing. He fled immediately after the assassination, and a reward was offered for his capture.
This arrest brings a significant development to one of Bangladesh’s most enduring political mysteries, highlighting how modern investigative techniques can help close decades-old cases.
