# “I was instructed to say that I had been kidnapped by bad people after my release,” said Hummam

> Hummam Qader Chowdhury testified at the tribunal in the enforced disappearance and torture case, implicating 13 accused, including former PM Sheikh Hasina. Abducted on August 4, 2016, he was held under the codename “VIP…

Published: 2026-01-20 · Desk: Latest · Source: Somoy News

Hummam Qader Chowdhury testified at the tribunal on Monday (January 19) in the case of enforced disappearance and torture at the Joint Interrogation Center (JIC), which is being tried as a crime against humanity. The trial involves 13 accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In his testimony, Hummam described the ordeal he faced during his disappearance. He said he realized his codename in captivity was “VIP-1” after seeing a medicine packet in the interrogation room. He instructed his captors to improve the quality of his food, citing his VIP status. During his final interrogation, he was coached to say that he had been kidnapped by “bad people” if released. He eventually escaped.

Hummam recalled overhearing two people inside the cell, saying the “Honourable Prime Minister wants to give you a second chance.” He also described his condition after release: when he returned home, the caretaker did not recognize him due to weight loss and overgrown hair and beard, though his pet dog recognized him.

During his testimony, Hummam told the tribunal that he hopes the accused, including Sheikh Hasina, will be brought to justice on Bangladeshi soil.

Hummam Qader Chowdhury had been abducted on August 4, 2016, in front of Banshal Police Station and was left on a road in Dhanmondi 7/A nearly seven months later, on March 2, 2017. He is the son of BNP leader Salauddin Qader Chowdhury.

Original reporting: https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2026-01-19/HYBUBU1S
HTML: https://tezzfeed.com/latest-news/i-was-instructed-to-say-that-i-had-been-kidnapped-by-bad-people-after-my-release-said-hummam-1768888895415
Bangladesh desk: https://tezzfeed.com/bangladeshi-news.md
Agent map: https://tezzfeed.com/llms.txt