Humam Qader Chowdhury Testifies Hearing Hindi Voices at Aynaghar Detention Cell
The Chronify
Humam Qader Chowdhury told the International Crimes Tribunal that he heard people speaking Hindi outside his cell while detained at the secret facility known as Aynaghar. His testimony came in a crimes against humanity case involving enforced disappearances and torture.
Humam Qader Chowdhury testified on Monday before the International Crimes Tribunal that he heard Hindi conversations outside his cell during his detention at the secret interrogation facility known as Aynaghar.
He gave the testimony in a crimes against humanity case over enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Centre cells, in which ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 13 others have been accused.
Describing the circumstances of his disappearance and detention, Humam said he later discovered that his codename inside Aynaghar was “VIP 1”, after noticing the label on a packet of medicine. He told the person who delivered food to his cell that, as a “VIP,” he deserved better-quality meals.
Humam further told the tribunal that during his final interrogation, he was instructed to claim after his release that criminals had abducted him, instead of acknowledging state custody. He said he eventually managed to escape from detention.
Although he said he did not hear any foreign language during direct interrogations, Humam clearly recalled hearing Hindi conversations outside his cell. One sentence he distinctly remembered was:
“Yahape saqaka beta hai” -suggesting the presence of Hindi-speaking individuals near the detention area.
The testimony adds to mounting allegations that secret detention facilities were used systematically for unlawful confinement, torture, and enforced disappearances during the previous government.
He gave the testimony in a crimes against humanity case over enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Centre cells, in which ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 13 others have been accused.
Describing the circumstances of his disappearance and detention, Humam said he later discovered that his codename inside Aynaghar was “VIP 1”, after noticing the label on a packet of medicine. He told the person who delivered food to his cell that, as a “VIP,” he deserved better-quality meals.
Humam further told the tribunal that during his final interrogation, he was instructed to claim after his release that criminals had abducted him, instead of acknowledging state custody. He said he eventually managed to escape from detention.
Although he said he did not hear any foreign language during direct interrogations, Humam clearly recalled hearing Hindi conversations outside his cell. One sentence he distinctly remembered was:
“Yahape saqaka beta hai” -suggesting the presence of Hindi-speaking individuals near the detention area.
The testimony adds to mounting allegations that secret detention facilities were used systematically for unlawful confinement, torture, and enforced disappearances during the previous government.
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