Imam Hasan killing: Brother details police action before International Crimes Tribunal

Shaheed Imam Hasan's elder brother, Robiul Awal Bhuiyan, testified before the International Crimes Tribunal today that during the July uprising, his brother Imam Hasan Bhuiyan Taim was shot in Dhaka's Jatrabari area by then Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shamim, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zakir Hossain, and Sub-Inspector (SI) Sajjaduzzaman.

Robiul appeared as the 11th witness in a war crimes case at International Crimes Tribunal-1 against three accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal has scheduled the next witness testimony for 20 August.

The session, held from 11:30 am to 4:45 pm, heard statements from three witnesses: Robiul Awal Bhuiya, Md Enab Najiz Zaki (father of martyr As-Sabur), and Jasim Uddin.

Other witnesses also held former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former transport minister Obaidul Quader, and former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun responsible for the July-August killings, calling for exemplary punishment.

The former IGP has admitted guilt and acted as an "approver," confessing the incident's details, typically recognised as a state witness.

After the testimonies, cross-examination was conducted by state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain on behalf of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution.

In this case of crimes against humanity, the accused include Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Imam Hasan, son of Senior Sub-Inspector Md. Maynal Hossain Bhuiyan of Rajarbagh Police Lines, was shot by police on 20 July near the Kajla footover bridge in Jatrabari during a quota reform protest. He was a 12th-grade student at Adamjee Nagar MW College in Narayanganj.

Robiul Awal Bhuiya testified that on 20 July, from 12pm to 2pm, curfew restrictions were relaxed. Hasan Imam told his mother he would get tea before joining the protest.

Near the Kajla footover bridge, Sub-Inspector Sajjaduzzaman first shot him in the leg. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shamim then took a weapon from another officer and shot him in the lower body. OC Zakir Hossain fired multiple shots afterwards.

About 10-15 police personnel were present at the scene, including Joint Commissioners Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and Proloy, DC Iqbal, ADC Masudur Rahman Monir, Assistant Commissioners (AC) Nahid and Tanzil, OC Abul Hasan, and OC Operation Wahidul Haq Mamun.

After lying on the ground for about half an hour, Hasan was placed in a police van and taken to Jatrabari Police Station, where five to six officers, including ADC Shamim, ADC Masudur Rahman Monir, and AC Nahid, allegedly stomped on his face, leaving him disfigured. He was later taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.