5 Aug Chankharpul killings: ICT orders publishing summoning notice for ex-DMP chief, 3 others on newspaper
The tribunal has ordered that the advertisement be published in one Bengali and one English national daily tomorrow (4 June).
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today (3 June) directed the publication of newspaper notices for four fugitive accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, to appear in court in connection with the killings of six people in Chankharpul on 5 August during the uprising.
The tribunal ordered that the advertisement be published in one Bengali and one English national daily tomorrow (4 June).
Alongside Habibur Rahman, the other fugitive accused are former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner of Ramna Zone Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul.
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A three-member ICT bench, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mazumdar, issued the order.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Prosecutor Shahidul Islam Sardar represented the prosecution.
Earlier in the day, four of the eight accused — currently in jail — were produced before the court.
They are former Shahbagh Police Station OC (operation) Md Arshad Hossain, and former constables Md Sujan Miah, Imaj Hossain, and Md Nasirul Islam.
"The tribunal has taken cognisance of the charges. The next step is framing charges. If the fugitives do not appear or are not arrested, the trial will proceed in their absence," Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told reporters.
The charges, formally accepted on 25 May, mark the first case of crimes against humanity linked to the July–August unrest to reach the trial stage.
The Chankharpul killings had taken place around the same time Hasina resigned and fled to the neighbouring country in a plane in the face of the mass uprising on 5 August.
The case alleges that on 5 August last year, police opened fire using deadly firearms on students' peaceful movement in the Chankharpul area. This resulted in numerous casualties. Members of state forces directly participated in this operation.
The investigation report states that firearms, APC cars, helicopters, drones and a large quantity of bullets were used to suppress the movement.
Six people killed in this police operation were identified as Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Junayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawladar, Md Ismamul Haq and Manik Mia Shahrik.
The report further said the fugitive accused, Habibur Rahman, and others were present at the scene and ordered their subordinates to open fire.
