2 ex-BGB officers 'overzealously led massacre from command positions' in Rampura-Banasree, says ICT chief prosecutor
Automatic rifles and sub-machine guns were used in what the prosecutor described as a “targeted massacre.”
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said two former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officers, acting "overzealously" from commanding positions, led a deadly crackdown that killed 28 people in Dhaka's Rampura-Banasree area during the July Uprising last year.
The chief prosecutor made the remark while speaking to journalists after ICT-1 ordered the commencement of trial against four accused, including former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officers Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Redwanul Islam and Major Md Rifat Bin Alam, in a crimes against humanity case over the killings.
According to the prosecution, the then BGB officers commanded forces that opened fire on unarmed students and civilians on 18 and 19 July 2024, killing 28 people over two days. Automatic rifles and sub-machine guns were used in what the prosecutor described as a "targeted massacre."
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"These two officers, from commanding positions, led the killings in Rampura and Banasree. Although many BGB members were deployed across the country, such incidents did not occur elsewhere," Tajul said, adding that the tribunal framed formal charges after analysing witness statements and evidence.
He stressed that the victims posed no threat and were not armed. "The accused were trained to protect the country's borders, but instead used that force against the nation's brightest sons and daughters. This is their individual criminal responsibility," he said, clarifying that BGB as an institution has not been made an accused.
However, denying the allegations, defence lawyer Hamidul Misbah claimed his clients were innocent and said the deaths were being "exaggerated on social media."
He argued that multiple forces, including police and armed personnel in plain clothes, were present at the scene and that his clients did not flee despite having the opportunity to do so. "Since they were not involved in any conflict, they have faced trial out of respect for the law."
Two other accused in the case are former additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of DMP's Khilgaon Division Md Rashedul Islam and former Rampura police station officer-in-charge Md Mashiur Rahman, remain absconding.
Earlier in the day, the tribunal rejected acquittal petitions filed by the accused. When asked whether they pleaded guilty, both former BGB officers stood in the dock and said they were innocent, seeking justice from the court.
Following arguments from both sides, the tribunal set 20 January next year to begin recording testimonies in the case.
