Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 today adjourned the hearing on charge-framing in a crimes against humanity case concerning the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed during the July-August Mass Uprising. The hearing has been postponed until tomorrow, allowing the defence to present its arguments after the prosecution concluded theirs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the three-judge panel of ICT-2, led by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, decided to adjourn the proceedings after the prosecution presented their case for framing charges against the accused. The tribunal had earlier ordered the appointment of six state defence counsels to represent 24 fugitive accused, facilitating trial in absentia.
On June 30, the ICT-2 issued arrest warrants against 26 individuals, including the former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid. This order followed the tribunal’s acceptance of the formal charges submitted by the prosecution. The investigation into the case, which was filed on June 24, implicated 30 individuals, among them a former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police.
The tribunal’s earlier actions included granting the prosecution a month to submit their investigation report, as ordered by the first tribunal on June 15. Moreover, the investigation agency was permitted to interrogate several individuals in mid-June, who were later shown arrested in the case on April 9.
According to the prosecution, prior to Abu Sayed’s death on July 16, 2024, university students were attacked and expelled from campus by then proctor Shariful and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) members. During this confrontation, two policemen allegedly shot and killed Abu Sayed at close range, as stated by prosecution lawyer Muhammad Tajul Islam.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Abu Sayed’s family on January 13, accusing 25 people of his murder.