6-yr-old Jaber was shot dead during victory procession after Hasina fled: Father tells ICT

Kabir Hossain, father of six-year-old Jaber Ibrahim, who was shot dead while joining a victory procession in the capital's Uttara area with his parents after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country during the 2024 July Uprising, testified before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today (18 May), describing the events surrounding his son's killing.

Kabir Hossain gave his deposition as the sixth prosecution witness in a crimes against humanity case filed over allegations of incitement to mass killings and internet shutdowns during the July Uprising.

The case names Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak as accused. Joy remains absconding, while Palak was produced before the tribunal led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

In his testimony, Kabir held Hasina, Joy, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Palak and other members of the ousted Awami League government responsible for his son's death and sought the highest punishment for them.

He told the tribunal that after learning Sheikh Hasina fled the country on 5 August 2024, he joined a victory procession near Uttara School around 2pm with his wife, two sons and a nephew.

According to the testimony, the family climbed onto an under-construction foot over bridge opposite the school and were taking photos and videos when, around 4:30pm, a group of 15-20 men approached from the direction of Uttara East Police Station while firing shots and throwing sound grenades.

Kabir said the attackers wore helmets and sleeveless vests, triggering panic among the crowd.

He said he quickly brought the children down from the foot over bridge and began running home holding Jaber's hand. Near the APBN headquarters gate, the child screamed after being hit by a bullet in the thigh.

Kabir then rushed his son to hospitals in Uttara on a motorcycle, but doctors at Dhaka Specialised Hospital declared Jaber dead.

Palak is currently in jail in connection with the case. As Joy was not present in court, state-appointed lawyer Monjur Alam is representing him before the tribunal.

Earlier on 26 April, the cross-examination of the fifth prosecution witness-an official of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited-was completed. The witness had earlier testified on 19 April.

According to the prosecution, the case includes three charges alleging that Palak, acting on Joy's instructions, engaged in provocative activities on Facebook on the night of 14 July 2024.

Prosecutors alleged that police, Awami League activists and armed members of now banned Chhatra League attacked protesters at University of Dhaka and other places on 15 July following those activities.

The charges also include allegations of inciting the use of lethal weapons, shutting down the internet and aiding killings during the movement.
 
Prosecutors said at least 28 people, including Rasel and Mosleh Uddin, were killed in those incidents, while another 34 killings in Uttara were allegedly aided by the accused.

Tribunal-1 on 21 January ordered the trial to begin by framing charges against Joy and Palak. The tribunal had accepted the formal charges submitted by the prosecution on 4 December last year.