The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sentenced two policemen to death and three others to life imprisonment in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Abu Sayed is widely known as the first martyr of the July Uprising in 2024.
The death row convicts are former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and former constable Sujon Chandra Roy. Both are currently in custody.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment are former assistant commissioner of police (Kotwali Zone) Arifuzzaman alias Jiban, former inspector (unarmed) of Tajhat Police Station Rabiul Islam alias Nayan, and former camp in-charge of Begum Rokeya University Bibhuti Bhushan Ray, also known as Madhab.
Former university vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid, proctor Shariful Islam and 22 others were given various jail terms ranging from five years to 20 years in connection with the same case.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict on Thursday noon. The other members are Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
In his remarks before delivering the verdict, the tribunal chairman said that on the day of the incident, Abu Sayed stood with his hands outstretched, believing those in front of him were human, but they had lost their humanity and opened fire.
Among others, seven individuals have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. They are former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Hasibur Rashid alias Bacchu; former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Moniruzzaman alias Beltu; associate professor of mathematics Moshiur Rahman; associate professor of public administration Asaduzzaman Mondal alias Asad; assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russell; assistant registrar Hafizur Rahman alias Tufan; and banned Chhatra League's Begum Rokeya University unit president Pomel Barua.
Eight others have been sentenced to five years in prison. They include former deputy commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Abu Maruf Hossain alias Titu; former additional deputy commissioner Shah Noor Alam Patowary alias Suman; former proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam; Rangpur Chhatra League joint general secretary Emran Chowdhury alias Akash alias Disha; joint general secretary Masudul Hasan alias Masud; university office assistant-cum-computer operator Mahabubar Rahman alias Babu; president of Rangpur Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad Dr Sarowat Hossain alias Chandan; and MLSS AKM Amir Hossain alias Amu.
Of the convicts, six were present at the dock when the tribunal pronounced the verdict, while the rest were tried in absentia.
Those in custody are Amir Hossain, Shariful Islam, Sujan Chandra Roy, and Chhatra League leaders Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russell, and Anwar Parvez.
After the verdict, the convicted defendants started a created a chaotic situation into the tribunal shouting slogans of Joy Bangla and said "we do not accept this verdict".
While leaving the tribunal, they pushed the police officers on duty. At that time, the convicted defendants shouted slogans of 'Joy Bangla' and said, 'We do not accept this verdict. We have been framed, we are innocent.'
Following the verdict, defence lawyers said they are dissatisfied and will appeal to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the tribunal verdict.
Defence counsel Azizur Rahman Dulu, said, "We are aggrieved by this judgment. Only the headings of the charges were mentioned."
He said the grounds were not discussed, despite more than 20 arguments and written submissions presented by the defence.
"We did not hear those aspects in what has been declared as the 'substance of the findings' and the 'operative part of the judgment'. We only heard the degree of punishment," he added.
He said a detailed appeal will be filed with the Appellate Division after reviewing the full judgment.
"We believe justice will be ensured after the appeal hearing, and the two accused sentenced to death will be acquitted," Dulu said.
The investigation agency submitted its probe report on June 24, 2025, following a complaint filed by Abu Sayed's family on January 13, 2025. Charges were formally framed against all 30 accused on August 6, 2025.
Abu Sayed was shot dead on July 16 in 2024 during an anti-discrimination student protest in Rangpur. Footage of the incident, showing him standing with arms outstretched as police opened fire on his chest, sparked nationwide outrage and intensified the movement.
The killing intensified the movement, which later culminated in a mass uprising and led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
