July uprising: Constable who shot student in Gazipur to be questioned by ICT on 11 Mar

The police constable, Akram Hossain, involved in the shooting of college student Hriday Hossain in Konabari, Gazipur, on 5 August last year, has been granted permission for one-day questioning by the prosecution and investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

In relation to the case, Akram Hossain, along with other accused individuals – former officer-in-charge of Kapasia police station M Ashraf Uddin; police inspector Md Shafiqul Islam; constables Md Fahim Hasan and Md Mahmudul Hasan – were presented before the tribunal today (5 March).

Following the prosecution's request, the tribunal has granted permission for Akram Hossain to be questioned on 11 March, ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told the media.

He added, "The interrogation aims to uncover who ordered Akram to shoot, identify his accomplices, and find out what happened to the victim's body after the incident.

"Akram Hossain was present at the tribunal, and the investigation agency will conduct the questioning, which has been approved for one day."

The chief prosecutor explained that the tragic incident occurred in Konabari on 5 August, when a protester was detained and tortured by several police officers. 

"The victim was then taken to the middle of the road, where he was shot from behind. Another police officer subsequently dragged the body into an alley. To this day, the victim's family remains unaware of the body's location."

Tajul further clarified that the investigation agency is making progress in the case. However, one more accused is still at large.

"The world witnessed the brutal incident, with media coverage showing police constable Akram Hossain shooting Hriday Hossain from behind with a rifle," said the chief prosecutor.

Call for no pressure on trials

Tajul Islam also urged the public not to exert pressure on war crimes trials, emphasising the complexities of ensuring justice in such cases. 

"Ensuring justice for war crimes is a complex process, and no one should apply additional pressure," Tajul Islam said during a briefing at the ICT yesterday.

Earlier in the day, two former US diplomats – William B Milam and John Danilovich – stationed in Dhaka met Tajul Islam and assured all kinds of cooperation in the trial process. They visited the International Crimes Tribunal in the morning on behalf of the US think tank Right to Freedom.

Tajul said they [ex-US diplomats] inquired about the current progress and overall situation of the trial of crimes against humanity. 

"The diplomats pledged full cooperation, particularly in ensuring justice for victims of genocide, war crimes, and forced disappearances over the past 15 years. They also offered to provide information and advisory support to prevent similar crimes in the future and ensure justice for the victims," the chief prosecutor also added.