Former Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi (left) and Barrister Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman have been released from the infamous detention facility known as 'Aynaghar.'
Former Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi, the eldest son of late Jamaat-e-Islami chief Prof Ghulam Azam, and Barrister Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, the younger son of the executed Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali, have been released from the infamous detention facility known as 'Aynaghar.'
They were released amid increasing pressure from human rights groups and the families of the disappeared.
Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi was confirmed to have been released by a verified Facebook post from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
The post, shared on Tuesday morning, read, "Alhamdulillah! Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi, the son of Shaheed Amir-e-Jamaat Professor Ghulam Azam, has returned. May Allah return all those who are missing to us."
Azmi had been detained since August 23, 2016, when he was reportedly taken by law enforcement officials for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. At the time of his dismissal from the military, Azmi held the rank of Brigadier General.
Meantime, Barrister Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman has also been freed after a prolonged disappearance.
Arman was abducted from his home in Mirpur DOHS, Dhaka, on August 9, 2016. His release was confirmed late Monday night through a social media post by his family.
Afroza Islam Ankhi, sister of forcibly disappeared BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon and a coordinator of Mayer Daak—a platform for families of the victims of enforced disappearances— also confirmed the releases.
The news follows a meeting between Director General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Director (Admin) Tamzid and several human rights advocates, including Mayer Daak co-founder Sanjida Islam Tuli, Senior Human Rights Adviser of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Bangladesh Huma Khan, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis, prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam, and women's rights leader Shireen Huq.
The DGFI has announced that an update on other captives held in 'Aynaghar' will be provided on Wednesday morning.
Amid the recent releases, families of political prisoners secretly detained during the tenure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina gathered in front of DGFI Headquarters, eagerly awaiting news of their loved ones.
The release of Azmi and Arman has rekindled hope among many that their relatives might also return home soon.
