Army denies Waker sought immunity for war crimes

The Bangladesh Army denied accusations against Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman on Monday through a Facebook statement. The military blamed foreign-based individuals for misrepresenting comments the general made at a Sept. 30 event at Dhaka Cantonment about legal protections for troops deployed in law enforcement operations.

Critics accused the army chief of seeking immunity for personnel involved in crimes against humanity, but the military rejected this interpretation. General Waker requested legal safeguards for soldiers assisting civil administration, and the interim government received notification about these protections.

The event examined ways to improve military effectiveness while supporting civilian authorities under existing laws. Participants discussed sections 127 through 132 of the Bangladesh Code of Criminal Procedure related to aiding civil power, and officers received training on magisterial powers granted to the military.

The army urged citizens to reject misleading information from groups attempting to divide the military and the public. Officials said the gathering aimed to help deployed units understand legal provisions for their assigned duties.