Tribunal proceedings begin over Abu Sayed murder as father quietly weeps

Trial of the July movement killing begins

Abu Sayed’s elderly father, Mokbul Hossain, has wept quietly after watching a video showing his son’s fatal shooting while attending the trial of the July Uprising killing at Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University.

The proceedings were held before a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam outlined the background of the July–August movement, human rights violations, investigation, and prosecution strategy.

Six of the 30 suspects were present, including ASI Amir Hossain, former university proctor Shariful Islam, and constable Sujan Chandra Roy, among others.

Abu Sayed was shot by police on Jul 16, 2024, during the anti-quota reform protests.

Viral images and videos of his death ignited nationwide outrage and intensified the movement, eventually pushing deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to leave the country for India on Aug 5, 2024.

Investigators submitted their probe report on Jun 24, 2025, and formal charges were accepted on Jun 30. The prosecution concluded the charge framing hearing on Jul 28, and the tribunal set Aug 27 for the opening statement.

Of the 30 suspects, 26 remain at large, including the university’s former vice-chancellor, for whom four government-appointed lawyers were assigned on Jul 22.