Says Prosecutor After Grilling Mozaffar
Matiur shot Ziaur Rahman, Ershad flew Chattogram by a chopper earlier
Major (retired) Mozaffar Hossain (middle). Photo: Agamir Somoy.
The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal interrogated retired Major Mozaffar Hossain, an accused in the former President Ziaur Rahman murder case, today, Sunday. With the interrogation of this arrested accused, the Ziaur Rahman murder case has been revived after 45 years.
Tanveer Hassan Zoha, prosecutor and special investigating officer of the Tribunal, told Agamir Somoy that during interrogation, Mozaffar said that ex Lieutenant Colonel Matiur Rahman shot former President Ziaur Rahman. Prior to the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, the then Chief of Army Staff Hussain Muhammad Ershad had traveled to Chittagong by helicopter.
Prosecutor Tanveer Hassan Zoha said that Mozaffar Hossain was interrogated at the Tribunal's investigation agency from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. He will be interrogated again tomorrow, Monday.
In the early hours of May 30, 1981, a group of meandered army officers brutally assassinated then-President Ziaur Rahman at the Chittagong Circuit House. Forty-five years after this assassination, Mozaffar Hossain was arrested from the capital's Banani area on July 15.
When asked about the findings from Mozaffar's interrogation, Prosecutor Tanveer Hassan said Mozaffar disclosed that Lt. Col. (Retd.) Matiur Rahman shot Ziaur Rahman. Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981. Ershad, the then army chief, had traveled to Chittagong by helicopter on May 28 of that year. Mozaffar also admitted this during questioning.
The prosecutor added that Mozaffar was also interrogated regarding the July killings.
Mozaffar Hossain is currently under arrest in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. On July 23, the Tribunal granted permission to interrogate him for two days.
Earlier, Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam had said, "While investigating the controversial 1/11 army officer Retired Lt. Gen. Masud Uddin Chowdhury, a connection was found with former army officer Mozaffar Hossain. The investigation revealed that during the crimes against humanity committed in the July movement, there were numerous phone conversations between Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Mozaffar."
"During the fascist regime, he visited our neighboring country multiple times. Staying in hiding after returning to Bangladesh, he was involved in crimes against humanity alongside many members of the government, including Masud Uddin Chowdhury. He was also involved in executing many plans during the July movement. Later, we learned that Mozaffar Hossain was involved in the assassination of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman."
