Staff Reporter :
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that two former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officers, from commanding positions, led a deadly crackdown that killed 28 people in Dhaka’s Rampura-Banasree area during the July Uprising last year.
He made this remarks while speaking the media after ICT-1 ordered the trial of four accused, including former BGB officers Lt Col Mohammad Redwanul Islam and Major Md Rifat Bin Alam, over the killings.
According to the prosecution, the officers commanded forces that fired on unarmed students and civilians on 18–19 July 2024, using automatic rifles and sub-machine guns in what was described as a “targeted massacre.”
“These two officers, from commanding positions, led the killings in Rampura and Banasree. Although many BGB members were deployed across the country, such incidents did not occur elsewhere,” Tajul said, emphasizing that the victims were unarmed and posed no threat.
He clarified that the BGB as an institution is not an accused, noting the officers’ individual criminal responsibility.
Defence lawyer Hamidul Misbah denied the allegations, claiming the deaths were “exaggerated on social media” and arguing that multiple forces were present at the scene. He added that his clients did not flee and are being tried out of respect for the law.
Two other accused former DMP Khilgaon ADC Md Rashedul Islam and former Rampura police OC Md Mashiur Rahman remain absconding.
Earlier, the tribunal rejected acquittal petitions, and both former BGB officers pleaded not guilty in court. Testimonies in the case are scheduled to begin on 20 January next year.
