Published : 07 Aug 2025, 02:49 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:37 PM
The International Crimes Tribunal has watched video footage showing Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed being shot by police during the July Uprising, as part of ongoing proceedings against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two top officials of her government.
The footage was played during the third day of witness testimony in ICT-1, which is trying charges of crimes against humanity linked to state repression during the mass anti-discrimination protests.
Alongside Hasina, the accused are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
The tribunal bench is headed by Justice Md Shahinur Islam and includes Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Two witnesses testified: Rina Murmu, a fellow student of Sayed at Begum Rokeya University, and AKM Moinul Haque, senior correspondent of NTV in Rangpur.
Moinul recounted events of Jul 16, 2024, when he and cameraman Asaduzzaman Arman were stationed near Gate No. 1 of the university as protestors marched from the press club.
The rally, part of a broader anti-discrimination movement, was blocked by police and ruling party supporters, including members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League.
“As the rally approached, police and government party supporters confronted them. When protesters tried to enter through the gate, clashes broke out. Police started beating them with batons,” Moinul told the court. “Then came tear gas, rubber bullets, and shotgun fire.”
Moinul said he witnessed a young man in black pants and a black T-shirt at 2:17pm, standing with arms outstretched near a gap in the road divider.
“Police opened fire on him. Bullets struck his abdomen and chest. He stumbled back, then collapsed. Protesters carried him away,” he said.
Moinul live-streamed the incident to NTV, which had already started its 2pm bulletin.
Following the prosecution's request, the tribunal allowed the video to be played. The footage was admitted as evidence via a pen drive.
Earlier, Rina testified that she saw police officers Amir Hossain and Sujon Chandra shoot Sayed.
“I saw it with my own eyes. They shot him directly. Former PM Sheikh Hasina, the university administration, and senior police officials cannot escape responsibility. I demand justice,” she told the court, adding that she too was injured that day.
Sayed, an English department student, was fatally shot on Jul 16 during the protest in Rangpur. Footage of him standing with arms spread before being gunned down went viral on news networks, sparking national outrage.
A “complete shutdown” was called the next day, and the Uprising rapidly spread across the country.
Despite imposing curfew on Jul 19, Hasina’s government failed to contain the unrest. Her 15-and-a-half-year rule collapsed on Aug 5 when she fled to India amid escalating protests.
The interim government later declared the crackdown a crime against humanity and initiated prosecution at the tribunal. Hasina was formally charged on Jul 10, alongside Khan Kamal and Mamun. Mamun has since turned state witness on the condition of full disclosure.
Rina and Moinul are the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses. Both were cross-examined by state-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, and BM Sultan Mahmud led the prosecution.
On Aug 3, microbus driver Khokon Chandra Barman gave the first witness statement, marking the formal start of Hasina’s trial.
