The victims and their families have demanded fair and impartial investigation into the torture and enforced disappearances carried out allegedly by former RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) commander Mohiuddin Faruqi in 2018.
The victims shared their harrowing experiences at a press conference at the National Press Club on Tuesday and demanded Faruqi’s execution.
Humayun Kabir, a founding member of BNP’s student wing Chhatra Dal, was abducted on October 27, 2018, recounted his ordeal saying, "I run a small business and write on Facebook and blogs including articles critical of the government. I was traveling from Dhaka to my village in Pirojpur when around 4:30 pm I sat at Sadarghat for a coffee. Several men in plainclothes encircled me and pointed pistols at my head. When I asked where they were taking me, they threatened me.”
"They forced me into a van parked on the side of the road, blindfolded me, and drove me to an unknown location. After some time, they took me into an air-conditioned room, tied me to a chair, and asked me why I had written against the government," he said.
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Kabir described how they tortured him, subjected him to electric shocks, and threatened to kill him in a "crossfire."
"I was beaten so badly that I preferred a crossfire death over enduring further torture. However, instead of a crossfire, they took me to RAB-10. At RAB-10 Kabir realised that Faruqi had tortured him.”
"He told me to forget everything. Later, they filed three cases against me. I was denied bail in the lower courts but was granted bail by the High Court. We demand a fair investigation and trial of Faruqi."
Enamul Haque, another victim, was abducted on November 21, 2018.
"Enforced disappearances and crossfire incidents were a business for Faruqi and the former commanders of RAB-12 and RAB-10. I was blindfolded and taken from the street by Faruqi's men. My family received phone calls demanding money from my phone number," he said.
Enamul recalled his fear of being killed in a crossfire."We were abducted 5-6 years ago, but now, after gaining freedom, I can speak about it," he added.
Rajan Byapari, a trainee lawyer, was abducted twice in 2018, first on August 2 and again on October 27.
During the imprisonment of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, Rajan and a group of others decided to write a book titled ‘Testimonies of Political Prisoners’.
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However, no publisher was willing to release it due to the risks involved, and they eventually secretly published the book.
"I was returning to Dhaka from Sylhet and after landing at the airport, I called my wife to inform her about my arrival. Suddenly, a group of people grabbed me from behind. No one came forward to help. Later, they filed eight cases against me under the ICT Act. After I was granted bail, they abducted me again. Several times, they took me for a 'crossfire'. Instead of a crossfire, I was subjected to brutal torture."
Other victims, including Mehedi Arjan Ivan (abducted on August 2, 2018), agricultural expert Fasiul Alam (abducted on October 11, 2018), and Rezwanul Haque Shovon (abducted on August 29, 2018), also demanded punishment of Mohiuddin Faruqi for carrying out extreme torture.
The victims and their families continue to demand justice for the torture and enforced disappearances carried out by Faruqi, seeking a fair and impartial investigation into his actions.