Ashulia body burning case: State seeks charges against Ex-MP Saiful, 15 others
During today’s (7 August) hearing, the petition was submitted at International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. Other members of the tribunal include Justice Md Manjurul Basit and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
The state has filed a petition seeking the framing of charges against former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and 15 others in a human rights violation case related to the July uprising.
The case involves the killing of six youths during the July Uprising and subsequently torching their bodies in Ashulia to conceal the evidence.
During today's (7 August) hearing, the petition was submitted at International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. Other members of the tribunal include Justice Md Manjurul Basit and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
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The tribunal has scheduled 13 August to hear the defence's arguments.
Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim, assisted by Faruk Ahmed, Saimum Reza Talukder, and Abdus Sattar Palwan submit the petition.
The tribunal accepted a one-week adjournment requested by the defence after the prosecution's hearing concluded.
Eight of the accused were produced before the court from prison.
The accused who are in custody include former additional superintendents of Police Md Shahidul Islam and Abdullahil Kafi, former DB inspector Md Arafat Hossain, and former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, Kamrul Hasan, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, and former constable Mukul Chokdar.
Eight other accused, including former member of parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam and former sub-inspector Biswajit Saha, remain at large.
The tribunal has appointed two state-appointed lawyers to represent the absconding accused.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Prosecutor Gazi said two crimes occurred in Ashulia: one protester was killed on 4 August and six others the next day. "Their bodies were then burned in a police van — five already dead and one allegedly still alive at the time. These acts constitute crimes against humanity."
On 2 July, the prosecution formally submitted charges against the 16 accused, along with 313 pages of documents, 62 witnesses, 168 pages of exhibits, and two pen drives containing additional evidence. Arrest warrants were issued for the eight absconding accused.
A case was filed with the International Crimes Tribunal on 11 September last year, accusing the 16 of crimes against humanity.
