Bangladesh’s Secret Jail Network Uncovered Near Dhaka Airport

A BBC investigation has uncovered a vast, secret network of detention centers in Bangladesh, allegedly operated by the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) under direct orders from then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The existence of these clandestine prisons, including one hidden near Dhaka's international airport, came to light largely due to the memories of former detainee Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, who was held for eight years and guided investigators based on the sound of nearby airplanes. Since Hasina's government was ousted following mass protests, hundreds of victims have recounted experiences of arbitrary detention and alleged unlawful killings, while many more remain fearful. Prosecutors and investigators claim the enforced disappearances and detentions were systematic and widespread, with potentially hundreds of similar secret cells across the country. Hasina's party denies responsibility, attributing the actions to the military establishment, a claim the army rejects. The revelations have sparked renewed scrutiny of human rights abuses and government accountability in Bangladesh.