In an unverified audio clip, the sound of a gun being cocked is heard, followed by a gunshot and the groans of a man. On the other end of the line, Teknaf municipality councillor Akramul Haque’s wife and two daughters scream, pleading for his life.
For eight years, justice for Akramul has remained trapped in that recording.
Now, as investigators move to submit a long-delayed report to the tribunal in a case once buried under an official “gunfight” narrative, Akramul’s family -- who could not even file a complaint with police or the court -- are hoping for justice.
“Since my husband’s killing, we tried to file a case but could never do so due to intimidation from Rapid Action Battalion,” Akramul’s widow Ayesha Begum told The Daily Star yesterday.
After August 5, 2024, authorities contacted her and asked her to file a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal over her husband’s killing, said Ayesha, who had disclosed the audio clips -- which she claimed to have recorded on her phone -- at a press conference in Cox’s Bazar five days after the incident.
Ayesha has long alleged that the killing was premeditated, claiming the Rab planted evidence -- including arms and yaba -- to justify it.
Since my husband’s killing, we tried to file a case but could never do so due to intimidation from Rab.
Ayesha Begum, widow of Akramul
The force had denied this at the time, saying Akramul opened fire first and that drugs and arms were recovered, citing his alleged involvement in narcotics.
Rab said Akramul was killed in a gunfight with alleged drug dealers on Teknaf Marine Drive, a claim his family has consistently rejected.
“My husband was innocent. He was always against drugs -- the yaba trade. He used to organise anti-yaba protests and rallies,” Ayesha said.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam recently said the Akramul killing case is among several major cases nearing formal charges before the tribunal.
“One of the notable cases is that of councillor Akram in Cox’s Bazar… We are close to finalising the report and will submit it soon,” he told The Daily Star on April 23.
An official familiar with the findings said the investigation has identified the involvement of 10 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Rab chief Benazir Ahmed, and former lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi.
The probe also found the involvement of two former Rab officers now in custody and facing trial in a crimes against humanity case, along with four other serving and retired members of the forces, the source said.
On July 20 last year, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 sent former Awami League lawmaker Bodi to jail after showing him arrested in connection with the killing.
Prosecution sources said an earlier investigation report had named the same 10 individuals, but then chief prosecutor Tajul Islam declined to press charges, arguing the case did not meet the legal threshold for trial at the tribunal.
After assuming office in February, Aminul Islam ordered further scrutiny and directed investigators to submit a fresh report, according to an official familiar with the process.
Another official said Akramul was killed in a “crossfire” to suppress dissent, terming it a crime against humanity.
He said during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, individuals who spoke out -- even from within her own party -- were killed, and Akramul’s case followed a similar pattern.
“Bodi considered Akramul a rival, as he spoke out against him and against drug-related activities at various forums and public gatherings. For this, he was killed,” the official added.
Akramul, a three-time councillor and former Teknaf Jubo League president, was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab members at Noakhalipara on Teknaf Marine Drive Road in Cox’s Bazar on the night of May 26, 2018, during an anti-narcotics drive.
Neither Rab nor any other authority has disclosed any investigation findings or whether any action was taken against those involved.
On December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on Rab and seven of its current and former top officials, including then IGP Benazir Ahmed and former Rab-7 commanding officer Lt Col Miftah Uddin Ahmed, for “serious human rights abuses”.
The US State Department specifically mentioned the “extrajudicial killing of Akramul in its statement”.
