July Uprising killings: Arrest warrants issued against ex-Rajshahi mayor Liton, 33 others
Tribunal takes cognisance of charges against 38 over killings.
Highlights:
- Tribunal takes cognisance of charges against 38
- Two protesters allegedly killed during July uprising
- Four accused are currently in tribunal custody
- Next hearing scheduled for 17 September
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 has issued arrest warrants against 34 people, including former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, after taking cognisance of charges against 38 people in a crimes against humanity case over killings during the July Uprising in Rajshahi.
A three-member bench of the tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, passed the order today (18 August).
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The four accused already in custody are former MP Md Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarkar, Zahirul Islam Rubel and Mohaiminul Islam Manik. The tribunal also ordered their production before it.
The case concerns the alleged killing of two protesters, Raihan Ali and Anjum Sakib, and the serious injury of several others during the July mass uprising in Rajshahi.
Prosecutor Zahirul Amin argued for the prosecution, assisted by prosecutors Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim, Marjina Raihan, Shahidul Islam Sardar and Tarek Abdullah.
During the hearing, Zahirul Amin presented details of the allegations and showed three videos to the tribunal. The videos allegedly showed several of the accused firing weapons, and Zahir identified some of them, including Zahirul Islam Rubel.
The prosecution then sought to have the tribunal take cognisance of the charges on the basis of a prima facie case, along with arrest warrants for the absconding accused and production warrants for those already detained.
The tribunal granted the applications and ordered the issuance of 34 arrest warrants and the production of the four accused in custody.
The next hearing has been scheduled for 17 September.
According to the prosecution, Raihan Ali was shot dead in front of Labongo Restaurant opposite Shekherchak Swachh Tower in the Boalia police station area of Rajshahi city around noon on 5 August 2024, during the July Uprising.
Anjum Sakib was allegedly killed around the same time in front of Shah Makhdum College.
Several others, including Salman alias Shimul, were also injured, the prosecution alleged.
The incidents took place around Shekherchak Swachh Tower, Shah Makhdum College, the Padma River embankment and Alupatti intersection, among other areas.
The prosecution has described the incidents as crimes against humanity punishable under the law.
The prosecution formally submitted charges against the 38 accused on 30 July, following which the tribunal took cognisance of the case on Tuesday.
The accused are AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Md Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarkar, Biplab Bijoy Talukder, Humayun Kabir, Rocky Kumar Ghosh, Rashik Dutta, Zahirul Islam Rubel, Bappi Chowdhury Rony, Mahidul Islam Mostofa, Khalid Hasan Biplab, Rashedul Karim Rozel, Mehedi Hasan alias Rony, Zedu Sarkar alias Jabedur Rahman, Abdul Hamid Sarkar alias Tekon, Anwar Hossain alias Anar, Arman Ali, Abdul Momin, Shahadat Hossain Shahu, Touhidul Haque Sumon, Mahtab Hossain Chowdhury, Alauddin alias Alal, Shariful Islam Babu, Md Nabil Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Rajib, Farhad Hossain Biplab, Taurid Al Masud Rony, Mehedi Hasan Rimal alias Rigen, Ashraful Islam Zafar, Sukanta Kumar Das, Faisal Ahmed Runu, Nur Mohammad Siam, Asadullah-Hil-Galib, Golam Kibria, Alal Parvez Lulu, Moniruzzaman Khan alias Monir, Shafiquzzaman alias Shafik, and Mohaiminul Islam Manik.
