In a groundbreaking legal proceeding, a Bangladeshi court has remanded 15 high-ranking army officers, including five generals, into custody on charges related to enforced disappearances and atrocities committed during the 2024 uprising that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This marks the first time formal charges have been brought for enforced disappearances in Bangladesh, and the first instance of such a large number of senior military officials facing a civilian trial. The officers are accused of operating a secret detention center during Hasina’s tenure, with all defendants having served in military intelligence or the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a paramilitary force notorious for its alleged human rights abuses. The army has pledged cooperation with the judicial process, though tensions remain high following the issuance of arrest warrants earlier this month. Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam emphasized the defendants’ respect for the legal process, while UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk hailed the trial as a significant step toward accountability for victims and their families. The officers were transported to court under heavy police guard. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, now a fugitive in India, faces a separate trial in absentia for crimes against humanity, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. Her Awami League party denies all charges, maintaining her innocence.