Police officer testifies against ex-MP, 15 others over Ashulia body burning case
So far, 20 witnesses have testified in the case
In a crimes against humanity case over the burning of six protesters' bodies in Ashulia on 5 August last year amid a mass uprising, the 20th prosecution witness, Sub-Inspector Md Ashraful Hasan, testified against former Awami League MP Saiful Islam and 15 others.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, recorded his statement today (29 October).
Around 11am, SI Ashraful, now posted at Ashulia police station, took the witness stand and gave his deposition as a seizure list witness.
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Ashraful said he was on duty on 14 April this year when the officer-in-charge informed him by radio that several bullets were found inside the boundary of an old tin-shed house owned by Monir and Latif Mondal west of the Ashulia police station. Responding to the message, he went to the spot and, in the presence of witnesses, recovered six 7.62-calibre rifle bullets with English markings. The bullets were seized and entered into the seizure list, which he and three witnesses signed.
Constable Md Mamunur Rashid also signed as a witness, he said. The seized evidence was deposited at the station and later sent to the International Crimes Tribunal's investigation agency as per the OC's instruction.
After his testimony, the defence counsel cross-examined him and alleged that he and the OC staged the seizure scene. Ashraful denied the claim.
So far, 20 witnesses have testified in the case. The tribunal set Thursday for recording the testimony of the 21st witness.
Those arrested in the case include former Dhaka Additional SP (Crime and Ops) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional SP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, Inspector Arafat Hossain, SIs Malek and Arafat Uddin, ASI Kamrul Hasan, Abzal, and Constable Mukul. They were brought to court from jail this morning. However, former MP Saiful and eight others remain absconding.
On 5 August last year, after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, six youths were shot dead by police in Ashulia, Savar. Their bodies were later taken into a police van and burned. One of them was still alive, but the perpetrators poured petrol on him and burned him alive. A case was filed with the International Crimes Tribunal on 11 September last year, accusing several individuals of crimes against humanity over the gruesome incident.
