Online Desk:

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday issued an arrest warrant against Wing Commander Saifur Rahman Saif of the Bangladesh Air Force in a crimes against humanity case over the enforced disappearance of BNP leader M Ilias Ali in 2012.

The tribunal passed the order following a petition filed by the prosecution, Prosecutor Shyikh Mahdi told.

“During the probe, the investigation officer has found primary involvement of Saifur Rahman in the enforced disappearance of Ilias Ali,” the prosecutor said.

The case is currently at the investigation stage, he added.

Reports have circulated on social media that Saifur Rahman is already in the custody of the security forces. Asked whether Saifur is in custody, Prosecutor Sheikh Mahdi said they were not aware of the matter.

Ilias, then organising secretary (Sylhet division) of BNP, and his driver Ansar went missing on the night of April 17, 2012. He was also a former general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. He was elected twice as a member of parliament from the Sylhet-2 constituency.

Saifur Rahman is the latest accused against whom the tribunal has issued an arrest warrant in the case. Former army officer Maj Gen (relieved) Ziaul Ahsan had earlier been arrested in connection with the disappearance.