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Published : 27 Jan 2026, 03:08 PM
The prosecution and defence have concluded their arguments in a crimes against humanity case over the murder of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July 2024 Uprising, A verdict is expected any day now.
A two-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2, comprising retired district sessions judge Md Manjurul Bashid and District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, heard the closing arguments on Tuesday.
Prosecutors Mainul Karim, Faruk Ahmed, Shahidul Islam Sardar and others represented the prosecution at the hearing, while lawyers Azizur Rahman Dulu, Abul Hasan and others represented the defence.
The prosecution began presenting its arguments in the case on Jan 21. They ended on January 25. During the three-day hearing, CCTV video from the main gate of the Begum Rokeya University campus, which recorded the murder of Abu Sayed on Jul 16, 2024, was shown to the tribunal.
The prosecution has demanded the maximum punishment for the 30 accused in the case.
Lawyers Aminul Gani Tito, Dulu, Hasan and state-appointed lawyers for the suspects presented their arguments and sought the acquittal of the accused.
Out of the 30 accused in the case, six have been arrested, while the other 24 are absconding.
Police brought the six arrestees to the tribunal on Tuesday. They were Assistant Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain, former Begum Rokeya University proctor Shariful Islam, constable Sujan Chandra Roy, and Chhatra League leaders Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russell and Anwar Parvez.
Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam told reporters, “We have presented the testimony of 25 witnesses in this case. We have proven the case irrefutably. The tribunal has kept the case pending for verdict, meaning that the verdict will be given any day.”
On Jul 16, 2024, Abu Sayed, a student of the Department of Economics at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur was killed in front of the university. He was the first martyr of the July Uprising. A total of six people were killed across the country that day, sparking a nationwide protest movement that toppled the Awami League government.
On Jun 24, 2025, the investigation agency submitted a report to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the murder.
The International Crimes Tribunal took cognisance of the charges on Jun 30. On Jul 22, lawyers were appointed at the expense of the state for the absconding accused. On Aug 6, Tribunal-2 framed formal charges against 30 suspects.
The formal trial of the case began with the opening statement of the prosecution on Aug 27.
