Six arrested accused were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Dhaka this morning ahead of the verdict in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.
The tribunal is set to deliver its judgement later today in the case linked to the July 2024 uprising.
The arrested accused are former university proctor Shariful Islam, former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan, former contractual employee of the registrar’s office Anwar Parvez and banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury alias Akash.
Security was tightened in and around the tribunal premises ahead of the verdict, which will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV).
Photo: Star
Family members of Abu Sayed, described as the first martyr of the July uprising, arrived at the tribunal in the morning and demanded the highest punishment for the accused.
“We want the highest punishment, death penalty, for those who killed my brother,” said Abu Hossain, one of Sayed’s brothers, while speaking to journalists before entering the courtroom. He also urged authorities to arrest the absconding accused and ensure swift execution of the verdict once delivered.
Another brother, Ramzan Ali, said the family remained satisfied with the judicial process so far but reiterated their demand for capital punishment. “Let’s see what the verdict will be. From our family, we want the killers to receive the highest punishment,” he said.
Thirty people, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid and former Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, stand accused in the case. They face charges of murder, attempted murder, superior command responsibility, abetment, and complicity in crimes against humanity.
The other accused include former RMP deputy commissioner Abu Maruf Hossain; ex-additional deputy commissioner Shah Nur Alam Patwari, who was later promoted to superintendent of police; assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman (Kotwali zone); Tajhat Police Station OC Rabiul Islam; university’s police outpost in-charge and sub-inspector Bibhuti Bhusan Roy, and pro-Awami League Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad leader Sarwar Hossain Chandan.
Twenty-four of the accused, including former VC Hasibur and ex-RMP commissioner Moniruzzaman, are fugitives, while six are in jail.
