Arrest Warrants Against 100 More Army Officers ‘Baseless Rumour’, Says Press Secretary

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has dismissed social media claims that arrest warrants were being issued against more than 100 army officers, describing them as “completely fabricated and baseless.”

In a Facebook post on Saturday, he said false rumours were circulating online, alleging that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) was preparing to issue fresh arrest warrants against hundreds of members of the armed forces.

“The Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal has informed us that there are no plans to issue arrest warrants against any additional members of the armed forces at this time,” he said.

His statement came after a military briefing earlier in the day, where the Army Headquarters confirmed that 15 officers named in existing warrants—issued over alleged enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity—had been taken into custody.

Shafiqul urged the public not to be misled by such “false and divisive propaganda,” saying: “These fabrications are part of an attempt to create discord among citizens and within the armed forces.”

“The motive behind these malicious rumours is to destabilise the country ahead of the general election scheduled for early February next year,” he added.

Addressing speculation that the government intended to dissolve the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Shafiqul clarified that the administration was merely considering reforms to enhance its focus on cross-border and foreign intelligence operations.

On Wednesday, the ICT issued warrants against 30 suspects in two cases of crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the ousted Awami League government.