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Published : 30 Jun 2025, 06:52 PM
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has accepted formal charges in the murder of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, during the July Uprising.
Arrest warrants have also been issued against 26 fugitives accused in the case.
The order was passed on Monday by ICT-2, headed by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam led the prosecution in the hearing.
Charges implicate deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, top police, and university officials in the legal crackdown.
Earlier in the morning, a formal complaint was filed with the ICT naming 30 suspects in the case.
Four of them are already in custody in separate cases -- Begum Rokeya University Proctor Shariful Islam, Chhatra League activist Imran Chowdhury Akash, former SI Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy.
Tajul said on Monday after an extensive investigation, a full report on Sayed’s murder was submitted to the tribunal.
Following review, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office lodged the formal charges, which were heard and accepted by ICT-2 under Sections 3(2) and 4(1, 2, 3) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, he added
The tribunal has ordered authorities to show the four detainees as arrested in this case and produce them in court on Jul 10, the next date for hearing.
Law-enforcing agencies have also been directed to arrest the remaining 26 fugitives and present them before the tribunal.
Should the fugitives not be arrested in time, the court tribunal may appoint state defence lawyers to represent them, allowing the trial to proceed in absentia, said Tajul.
“We have clearly established the chain of command,” said Tajul. “Sheikh Hasina gave the order to use lethal weapons. That order went to the home minister, who passed it to the IGP, and then down through the entire police command.”
He alleged that Sayed’s killing was a direct result of those orders.
“Therefore, the superior responsibility lies with Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan, the IGP, and the senior officers in Rangpur police. They have all been named in the chargesheet.”
The chargesheet also accuses the Awami League, its youth wing Jubo League, the vice-chancellor, and other members of the university administration of acting as auxiliary forces. They allegedly issued direct instructions to suppress the student protests.
Tajul added: “Those in university leadership at the time actively provoked the police and directed the use of force. Given their superior positions, they bear institutional responsibility.
“Still, the principal blame lies with the government, starting from Sheikh Hasina and extending through the police chain of command.”
Abu Sayed was killed by police fire on Jul 16, 2024, during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement which started on Jul 1 to demand the scrapping of the quota system in government jobs.
A video of Sayed spreading his arms while police firing at him was broadcast on the media, sparking widespread outrage and further protests among students and the public.
The movement then spread across the country.
