Trial in four crimes against humanity cases in final stage

After the delivery of the verdict in the Hasina case, the trial in four other crimes against humanity cases filed at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is now in the final stage as the prosecution’s testimony is almost complete.

“The trial proceedings of the four cases are almost at the final stage,” said ICT Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam.

Relevant sources also said that the verdict in one of the cases could be announced in late December, while those in the other three may come in January.

The four cases are – Chankharpool mass killing case; Shaheed Abu Sayed murder case; the killing and burning of the bodies of six youths in Ashulia; and the case filed over the shooting of a youth clinging to a cornice at an under-construction building and the killing of two people at Rampura in Dhaka.

The testimony and cross-examination of 26 prosecution witnesses, including the last witness and investigation officer (IO) of the Chankharpool mass killing case, ended on Thursday.

The defence now wants to present the testimony of exculpatory witnesses to prove the innocence of some of the accused. Hearing on the application will take place tomorrow.

The ICT-1 on Thursday fixed the date after the defence lawyer for the then officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station Md Arshad Hossain placed the application to the tribunal.

Advocate Saddam Hossain Ovi sought time for the hearing. He submitted the names of three defence witnesses.

“However, it will be known after the hearing whether their testimony will be taken or not. If the application is not accepted on Sunday, the case will proceed to the argument stage on that day,” said ICT Prosecutor Barrister SM Moynul Karim.

Former commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Habibur Rahman and seven others are accused in the second crimes against humanity case over the killing of six innocent people in the Chankharpool area in the capital. Four of them, including the ex-OC, are now in jail.

The six people were killed on 5 August 2024, the day ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted of crimes against humanity, fled the country following the mass uprising.

Rampura shooting case nears ending

The trial of the Rampura shooting case has also reached the final stage at the ICT-1. CID photography expert Golam Iftekhar Alam on Thursday testified before the tribunal for the eighth day as the last and 13th witness.

He was cross-examined by Advocate Amir Hossain, state-appointed lawyer for the four absconding accused, and Advocate Sarwar Jahan, lawyer for former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarkar of Rampura police outpost who is the only arrestee in the case.

Later, the tribunal fixed 2 December for the next day of hearing. The testimony phase in the case is likely to end on that day, said Barrister Moynul.

On 19 July last year, Amir Hossain was returning to his aunt’s house in Rampura area. Upon seeing police and BGB vehicles on both sides of the Banasree-Meradia road, he panicked and climbed to the roof of an under-construction four-story building nearby in an attempt to escape.

Police chased him. At one stage, the youth was seen clinging to an iron rod on the building’s cornice. Despite this, a policeman fired six shots at him. He fell to the third floor and was rescued by locals after they heard his screams.

Apart from this horrific incident, five cops were accused in the case of killing two people in the area on the same day.

Abu Sayed murder case in final stage

The trial of the Abu Sayed murder case is also moving into its final stage. The ICT-2 has already recorded testimonies of 16 witnesses in the case. The second tribunal is scheduled to record the next testimony on 9 December. “The testimony phase in the case is likely to end in December,” said Moynul Karim.

Former BRUR VC Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid is among the accused in the case. Six of the 30 accused are now in custody. Former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam is among them.

Abu Sayed was killed in Rangpur while taking part in the countrywide demonstration. A video showing him spreading his arms as police shot at him was broadcast by the media, sparking widespread outrage and further protests. The movement then gained momentum that ultimately ensured the downfall of the Awami League regime.

Testimony in Ashulia case likely to end Tuesday

The testimony phase in the Ashulia body burning case is likely to be concluded on Tuesday (2 December). The ICT-2 has already recorded testimonies of 24 witnesses, while the IO and the last witness will testify on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abzalul Haque, an accused in the case who turned state witness, has already testified before the tribunal and was cross-examined.

A total of 16 individuals are accused in the Ashulia brutality case, with eight of them being in custody. Former MP Muhammad Saiful Islam is among the fugitive eight accused.

At least 75 people were killed in police firing in Savar and Ashulia from 18 July to 5 August 2024. Among them, six of them had their bodies burned by the police.

On 5 August last year, the police shot and killed five youths, injuring another one and putting their bodies into a police van. The van was then set ablaze in an attempt to make it appear as though the protesters had torched the vehicle, resulting in the deaths.

Tragically, one of the victims was still alive when the fire was set. Police poured petrol on the van and burned him alive.

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