Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) today set August 21 for delivering its order on charge framing in a crimes against humanity case over the killing and burning of six youths in Ashulia during the July-August mass uprising. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed the date after both prosecution and defence completed their arguments.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state-appointed defence counsels, Advocate Amir Hossain and Patwari M Mahadi Hasan, participated in the hearing for the accused, while prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Faruk Ahammed, Saimum Reza Talukder, and Abdus Sattar Palwan were present. The prosecution highlighted that a total of 29 people were killed during the uprising in Savar, with one person killed on August 4 and six the following day. The prosecution argued that by killing the innocents and burning their bodies on August 5, the accused committed multiple offences.
On July 16, the tribunal ordered public notices in two national dailies, summoning eight fugitive accused to surrender. It was stated that if they fail to comply, the trial will proceed in absentia. Earlier, on July 2, ICT-2 took cognizance of the formal charge, which accuses the defendants of shooting six youths on August 5, 2024-killing five instantly and subsequently burning their bodies along with another injured youth, allegedly to destroy evidence. Arrest warrants were issued that day against eight suspects, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Nurul Islam.
The other accused in the case include former additional superintendent of police (crimes and ops) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP (Savar circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former officer-in-charge AFM Sayed, former DB inspector Md Arafat Hossain, ex-ASIs Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, Bishwajit Saha, Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder. The ICT's investigation agency had submitted its probe report on June 19 last.
According to the prosecution, police allegedly placed the victims' bodies in a van and set it ablaze, creating the appearance that protesters had torched it. It was reported that one victim was still alive when the fire was set.