Tribunal to decide on Abu Sayed murder indictments on Aug 6

The International Crimes Tribunal has concluded the hearings on whether to frame charges in the case over the killing of Abu Sayed, a student at Begum Rokeya University, during the July 2024 Uprising in Rangpur and set Aug 6 for its decision.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, conducted the proceedings in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam represented the state at the hearing.

He said, “Today was scheduled as the date for a hearing on the framing of charges in the Abu Sayed murder case. The hearing was held, and arguments were presented on behalf of the suspects. They mainly asked for the charges against them to be dropped. We opposed this statement. In our response, we said that command responsibility does not mean that a person has to be present at the scene to give a command. A command structure functions differently. Someone can give orders to subordinates without being present at the scene.”

“There were a few different groups. Some are university teachers. Some are employees. They each played their part. We were clear and specific in their roles in our formal charges and statements. The evidence we have – that is, the audio, video, CCTV footage, everything – we have submitted against them. The defence was unable to prove that there are 'prima facie' (based on the first impression) charges in this incident. We argued that to the tribunal. We strongly believe that they will be indicted on Aug 6, the date the honourable tribunal has set for its decision."

Six detained suspects were produced before the tribunal on Monday, the first day of the indictment hearing.

They are Shariful Islam, the former proctor of Begum Rokeya University, Sujan Chandra Roy, a police constable, Imran Chowdhury Akash, a Chhatra League leader, Amir Hossain, an assistant sub-inspector, Rafiul Hasan Russell and Anwar Parvez Apil.

Abu Sayed was killed by police fire on Jul 16, 2024, during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, which began as a movement seeking the scrapping of the quota system in government jobs.

On Jun 30, the tribunal accepted the complaint in the Sayed murder case. Additionally, it issued arrest warrants against 26 suspects in the case, who were then absconding.

Earlier, the ICT's Investigation Agency submitted a report to the tribunal, highlighting the involvement of 30 people in the murder of Abu Sayed.

On Jul 13, the tribunal published notices in newspapers summoning the 24 absconding suspects. Also, it issued an order to produce Rafiul and Apil, showing them arrested in the case, while they are already arrested in other cases.

The state has appointed four lawyers to represent the 24 absconding suspects.