Prosecution Hopes Abu Sayed Killing Case to Conclude by January

The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today expressed hope that the trial of the crimes against humanity case lodged over the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising would be concluded by January 2026.

"The 12th prosecution witness (PW) today testified in the case against 30 accused, including former BRUR Vice-Chancellor (VC) Hasibur Rashid. We plan to conclude our testimony after recording the depositions of 30 to 35 witnesses. We hope the trial will be completed by January," said prosecutor Mizanul Islam.

Earlier in the day, BRUR student Akib Reza Khan, who helped the injured Abu Sayed onto a rickshaw towards the hospital for treatment, testified as PW-12.

He blamed university authorities for the killing and named the accused ASI Amir Hossain, constable Sujan Chandra, and several other teachers and staff of BRUR. Khan said the brutal killing occurred due to the inaction, silence and negligence of university authorities.

Six of the 30 accused, who have, so far, been arrested, were produced before the court today. They include former BRUR Proctor Shariful Islam, former Assistant Registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel, former staff Md Anwar Pervej, former Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Amir Hossain, former Constable Sujan Chandra Roy, and former General Secretary of the then-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), BRUR unit, Imran Chowdhury Akash.

The second tribunal framed charges against all 30 accused on August 6 and the prosecution presented its opening statement on August 27.

Earlier on July 22, the tribunal appointed six state defence counsels to represent the fugitive accused in absentia.

On June 30, ICT-2 issued arrest warrants against fugitive accused, including former BRUR VC Prof Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, following acceptance of formal charges submitted by the prosecution.

The investigation agency submitted its report on June 24, implicating 30 individuals, including the former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police.

According to the prosecution, on July 16, 2024, just before Abu Sayed's killing, then-proctor Shariful Islam, along with BCL activists, forcibly removed students from the BRUR campus. During the incident, two policemen shot Sayed at close range.

The martyr's family lodged a complaint on January 13, 2025, accusing 25 individuals in connection with the killing.