Monowara Begum, the mother of Abu Sayed—the Begum Rokeya University student widely regarded as the first martyr of the 2024 July uprising- stated on Thursday that the execution of the verdict in her son’s murder case would bring peace to his soul.

Reacting to the judgment delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), she said, “Those involved in my son’s killing have received various sentences including death and imprisonment. If the verdict is executed my son’s soul will find peace.”

While the mother sought closure through the execution of the sentence, Abu Sayed’s father, Mokbul Hossain, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, remarking that more of the accused could have received the death penalty.

Similarly, his elder brother, Abu Raihan, called for the execution of all those involved to ensure full justice for the slain student.

Earlier in the day, the tribunal sentenced two accused to death and three others to life imprisonment, while several others received varying prison terms.

The two condemned convicts identified for the death penalty are former Assistant Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain and former Constable Sujan Chandra Roy.

Abu Sayed, a student of the 12th batch in the English department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), was shot dead during student protests on July 16, 2024, in front of the university campus.

His killing became a turning point that intensified the student movement, eventually escalating into a mass uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

With Inputs from UNB