Yamin murder: Indictment hearing against ex-MP Saiful, 18 others today

A hearing on the formal framing of charges against 19 accused, including former Member of Parliament Saiful Islam, is scheduled to be held today in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Ashabul Yamin in Savar during the July uprising.

The hearing is scheduled for Sunday (October 18) before a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

The prosecution said a hearing on the formal framing of charges against the accused was scheduled for September 23. However, the tribunal fixed today’s date after the prosecution sought one month’s time to prepare. The hearing will take place accordingly.

Six accused are currently in jail in connection with the case. They are former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka district Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional Superintendent of Police (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Ali, Nayek Suhel Mia, and constables Mahfuz Mia and Mizanur Rahman.

The other accused, including Saiful Islam, are absconding. They are former Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General Syed Nurul Islam, former Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman Ripon, former Savar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahjahan, former Ashulia Police Station OC AFM Sayed, former Savar upazila chairman Manjurul Alam Rajib, Md Atikur Rahman, Fakhrul Alam Samar, Mehedi Hasan Tushar, Raju Ahmed, Md Farid, Zaman Khan and Sharif Ashraful Alam Babul.

Earlier, on September 7, Tribunal-2 ordered the appointment of state defence lawyers for 13 absconding accused. On July 26, the same tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges submitted by the prosecution against all 19 accused.

According to the prosecution, police and Awami League activists attacked a peaceful protest organised by students under the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Savar Bus Stand on July 18, 2024.

The prosecution alleged that Yamin was seized and dragged towards an armoured police vehicle, where he was shot in the left side of his chest at around 1:30 PM. Numerous splinters penetrated the left side of his chest.

At one stage, police personnel allegedly dragged Yamin onto the armoured vehicle and drove it back and forth to intimidate the protesting students and members of the public. He was later thrown onto the road in an almost lifeless condition. The prosecution further alleged that a police officer inside the vehicle was instructed to get out and shoot Yamin in the leg again.

The officer, believing Yamin to be dead, did not shoot him in the leg. Instead, he allegedly dragged him across the road and left him beside the central divider. Yamin was still seen breathing despite his gunshot injuries. Local people later rescued him and took him to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar.

-MT