Bangladesh News

Detained former National Security Intelligence (NSI) deputy director (DD) Liakat Hossain gave information to investigators that conform to many important points of the confessional statement of ex-NSI director Sahab Uddin.

The former NSI DD also hinted at involvement of a foreign embassy and Dubai-based ARY group in the smuggling of 10 truckloads of firearms and ammunition seized on April 2, 2004 on the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd jetty, said CID Chittagong Divisional Special Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Muslim.

However, like Sahab and ex-NSI chief Brig Gen (retd) Abdur Rahim, Liakat denied his involvement in the transportation of the weapons consignment, said sources in Criminal Investigating Department (CID), which is investigating the sensational Chittagong arms haul case.

During the four-day remand that ended yesterday, Liakat said the embassy provided cellphone monitoring technology to the NSI as a gift, the sources added.

He also talked about the meetings the then NSI chief had with ARY group, officials of the embassy and a South Asian country’s army intelligence agency and named the persons who attended the meetings, sources said.

The ex-NSI DD may be produced before the court with prayer for further remand today, the CID SSP said.

Liakat Hossain was arrested in Dhaka Tuesday following the confessional statement made by ex-NSI director Sahab Uddin. He was placed on a four-day remand Thursday.

Meanwhile, detained ex-NSI chief Maj Gen (retd) Rezzaqul Haider is yet to be taken on a six-day remand under Taskforce Interrogation (TFI) cell in Dhaka.

Rezzaqul along with the other ex-NSI chief Brig Gen (retd) Abdur Rahim was placed on six-day remand each on May 20.

Rezzaqul’s lawyers prayed for the cancellation of the remand but the court denied it Thursday.

Investigation officer of the case Muniruzzaman Chowdhury, a senior ASP of CID Chittagong, told the court that Rezzaqul would be taken on remand this week.

Sources said Rezzaqul might be quizzed at the TFI cell today or tomorrow.

The two ex-NSI bosses were arrested at their Dhaka homes on May 16 following the confessional statement of Sahab.

The CID yesterday sought a 10-day remand for ex-NSI director Sahab Uddin before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

The court would hear on the remand prayer later.

Meanwhile, former adviser to a caretaker government Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin said the last caretaker government did not meddle in the investigation of the sensational Chittagong arms haul case.