Former ASI Amir, ex-constable Sujan to walk gallows for Abu Sayed killing
3 sentenced to life, 25 get different jail terms
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and ex-constable Sujan Chandra Roy to death and three other officers to life imprisonment in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Abu Sayed during the 2024 July Uprising.
In the verdict delivered today (9 April), the three-member Tribunal-2 bench, led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, also handed different terms of imprisonment to the 25 other accused. The two other members of the bench are retired district sessions judge Md Manjurul Bashid and District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
The three who received life in prison are former assistant commissioner of police (Kotwali Zone) Md Arifuzzaman; then police inspector (unarmed) of Tajhat Police Station Rabiul Islam; and former camp in-charge of Begum Rokeya University Bibhuti Bhushan Ray.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The tribunal began reading out the short verdict in the case at around 12:15pm. Before delivering the verdict, the tribunal observed, "The police members before whom Abu Sayed stood with his chest bared had turned inhuman that day."
Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury made the remark at the beginning of the verdict.
He said, "Abu Sayed stood fearlessly with his arms outstretched. He believed that those standing before him were human, and that they would not harm him. But he did not realise then that those people had turned inhuman."
Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of BRUR's English department, was shot dead during students' protests on 16 July 2024 in front of the university. The killing intensified the movement, which ultimately culminated in a mass uprising, leading to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024.
Defence expresses dissatisfaction, vows to appeal
Expressing dissatisfaction with the verdict, Defence counsel Azizur Rahman Dulu, said, "We are aggrieved by this judgment. Only the headings of the charges were mentioned."
He said the grounds were not discussed, despite more than 20 arguments and written submissions presented by the defence.
"We did not hear those aspects in what has been declared as the 'substance of the findings' and the 'operative part of the judgment'. We only heard the degree of punishment," he said, adding that a detailed appeal will be filed with the Appellate Division after reviewing the full judgment.
Meanwhile, following the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said a decision on whether to appeal will be made after the full verdict is published and reviewed.
When asked whether the prosecution was satisfied with the verdict, he said the sentences generally reflected the accused's roles as charged. "However, after receiving the full judgment, we will review it.
Verdict will bring peace to my son's soul: Sayed's mother
Monowara Begum, mother of Abu Sayed said that the execution of the verdict in her son's murder case would bring peace to his soul.
"Those involved in my son's killing have received various sentences, including death and imprisonment. If the verdict is executed, my son's soul will find peace," she said, reacting to the judgment.
Sayed's father, Mokbul Hossain, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, saying more of the accused could have received the death penalty.
His elder brother, Abu Raihan, also called for the execution of all those involved, saying it would ensure full justice for his brother.
Amir shouts 'Joy Bangla'
As police escorted former ASI Amir Hossain from the court following the verdict, he protested loudly, asserting that he had only been following orders and questioning why he alone was sentenced to death, according to media reports.
"I am a police officer. I followed instructions. Why am I being given the death penalty? I have been wronged. I do not accept this verdict," he shouted.
During the commotion, Amir also chanted "Joy Bangla," insisting that his actions were carried out on orders and challenging why he was singled out for punishment.
Sentences of others
Among others, five individuals have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. They are former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) Hasibur Rashid; former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Moniruzzaman; associate professor of mathematics Moshiur Rahman; associate professor of public administration Asaduzzaman Mondal; and banned Chhatra League's Begum Rokeya University unit president Pomel Barua.
Eight others have been sentenced to five years in prison. They include former deputy police commissioner Mohammed Abu Maruf Hossain, former additional deputy police commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel, former BRUR Chhatra League general secretary Imran Chowdhury Akash, joint general secretary Masudul Hasan, BRUR computer operator Mahabubar Rahman, SWACHIP leader Sarwat Hussain Chandan, and former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam were sentenced to five years imprisonment each.
It also sentenced former BRUR assistant registrar Hafizur Rahman, former section officer Moniruzzaman Palash, Chhatra League leaders Mahafuzur Rahman Shamim, Fazle Rabbi, Akhtar Hossain, Sezan Ahmed, Dhananjay Kumar, and Babul Hossain, BRUR MLSS Mohammad Nurunnobi Mondol, MLSS AKM Amir Hossain and security guard Nur Alam Mia to three years imprisonment each.
The court also found former BRUR staffer Md Anwar Pervej guilty but ordered his immediate release, considering the time he had already spent in custody as his sentence.
Of the convicts, six were present at the dock when the tribunal pronounced the verdict, while the rest were tried in absentia.
Those in custody are Amir Hossain, Shariful Islam, Sujan Chandra Roy, and Chhatra League leaders Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russell, and Anwar Parvej.
Case timeline
Earlier, on 5 March, the tribunal fixed 9 April to pronounce the verdict in the case.
On 27 January, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits its verdict, after concluding the hearing.
Prosecutor SM Maynul Karim said the prosecution recorded statements from a total of 25 witnesses, including eyewitnesses, experts, journalists, doctors, and police personnel in this case.
Individuals who were shot alongside Abu Sayed, as well as background witnesses, including current Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah, also testified in court. In addition, CCTV footage from the scene and live television broadcasts were submitted as evidence.
On 30 June last year, the ICT took cognisance of charges against 30 people, including former vice chancellor Hasibur Rashid and issued arrest warrants against the absconding accused.
For the 24 fugitives, the state appointed four lawyers to represent the prosecution.
The tribunal's investigation agency submitted charge sheet against them on 24 June.
The ICT formally framed charges on 6 August and the official trial began on 27 August with the presentation of opening statements.
The next day, Abu Sayed's father, Mokbul Hossain, gave his testimony as the first witness in the case.
The hearing of all witnesses concluded on 14 January this year, and the final arguments were presented on 27 January.
Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of BRUR's English department, was shot dead during students' protests on 16 July 2024 in front of the university.
The killing intensified the movement, which ultimately culminated in a mass uprising, leading to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024.
