Published : 24 Dec 2025, 09:58 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:55 PM
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has formally ordered the start of a trial against four individuals, including former BGB officer lieutenant colonel Redwanul Islam, in connection with the killing of 28 people in Rampura during the July Uprising.
The directive came from a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.
The bench also includes Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
The tribunal has set Jan 20 for the start of the trial, which will open with statements from the prosecution and defence, marking the first formal step in judicial proceedings against the suspects. The court will start hearing testimonies that day.
Other suspects named in the case are -- former BGB officer major Md Rafat Bin Alam Moon, former additional deputy commissioner of DMP's Khilgaon region Md Rashedul Islam and former chief of Rampura Police Md Moshiur Rahman.
Among the suspects, Redwanul and Rafat are in police custody. They were produced before the tribunal from the Dhaka Cantonment Sub-Jail in the morning.
Police officers Rashedul and Moshiur are on the run. At the start of the trial process in the morning, the court turned down a petition for the suspects' acquittal.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman, Shahidul Islam and others represented the state.
Defence counsels included Hamidul Misbah and state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain.
Prosecutor Tajul said, “On Jul 18 and Jul 19, the BGB ran a massacre on the students and public in Rampura. The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has framed charges against four people, including two BGB officers, in the case. The tribunal will begin hearing testimonies on Jan 20."
On Dec 21, Amir applied for the acquittal of the two absconding suspects, while Misbah filed a similar application for the accused who already appeared before the court.
Earlier on Dec 6, Prosecutor Tajul completed the hearing of the formal charges. Redwan and Rafat, who were already in military custody, were brought to the tribunal on Oct 22.
After the hearing, the tribunal ordered to show them arrested and sent them to prison. At the same time, it ordered the fugitives to appear before the court and directed that a notice be published in the newspaper.
As many as 28 people were killed in Rampura in July and August last year, during the student-led mass movement. Many others were injured. Redwanul was seen to be “directly opening fire at the protesters.
