ICT sets 5 February for verdict in Ashulia killings, body burning case
Of the eight accused present at the time, seven pleaded not guilty, while SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque admitted guilt and gave a confessional statement after turning a state witness.
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has fixed 5 February for delivering its verdict in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July Uprising in Ashulia.
The date was set today (1 February) by the three-member tribunal led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury.
Earlier, on 20 January, the tribunal concluded hearings in the case and kept it under consideration for judgment after completing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
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Prosecutor Mizanul Islam presented rebuttal arguments on behalf of the prosecution, while state defence lawyers Md Amir Hossain, Mirajul Alam and Abul Hasan argued for the accused throughout the day.
A total of 16 people have been accused in the case, of whom eight are currently under arrest.
Those in custody include former additional superintendent of police (Crime and Ops) of Dhaka district Md Abdullahil Kafi, former additional superintendent of police (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, then Detective Branch inspector Arafat Hossain, sub-inspectors Malek, Arafat Uddin and Sheikh Abzalul Haque, assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan, and constable Mukul.
Former lawmaker Saiful Islam and the remaining accused are absconding.
On 21 August last year, the tribunal framed charges against the accused and ordered the trial to begin. Of the eight accused present at the time, seven pleaded not guilty, while SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque admitted guilt and gave a confessional statement after turning a state witness.
Earlier, on 2 July of the same year, the tribunal had taken cognisance of the formal charges submitted by the prosecution. Along with the charges, the prosecution placed 313 pages of supporting documents, listed 62 witnesses, submitted 168 pages of documentary evidence, and included two pen drives as exhibits.
According to the case details, six young men were killed by police gunfire in Ashulia, Savar, on 5 August 2024.
Their bodies were later loaded onto a police van and set on fire. During the incident, one of the victims was still alive but was also burned to death after petrol was poured on him. Another person had been killed a day earlier.
Following the incident, a case was filed with the International Crimes Tribunal on 11 September of the same year, accusing those involved of crimes against humanity.
