Staff Reporter :
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 has issued arrest warrants for 26 individuals, including the former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University (BRU), Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, in connection with crimes against humanity relating to the killing of university student Abu Sayed during the July-August Mass Uprising.
A three-member panel of ICT-2, headed by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, passed the order on Monday after formally taking cognisance of the charges submitted by the prosecution. The tribunal has adjourned further proceedings until 10 July.
Earlier in the day, the prosecution team, led by Senior Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, formally submitted charges against 30 individuals at the office of the ICT registrar. The development was subsequently presented before the tribunal.
The tribunal’s investigation agency had previously submitted its report on 24 June, implicating 30 individuals in the murder of Abu Sayed, including a former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police.
Speaking on 26 June, Senior Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said, “We are reviewing the report and expect to place the formal charges before the tribunal by next Sunday.” However, the submission was delayed as Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam was engaged with other official duties on 29 June.
Earlier, on 15 June, ICT-1 granted the prosecution one month to file the investigation report. The tribunal also approved the interrogation of four key suspects-former sub-inspector Amir Hossain and former constable Sujan Chandra Roy on 18 June, and former BRU proctor Shariful Islam along with Imran Chowdhury Akash, general secretary of the banned Chhatra League (BCL) unit at the university, on 19 June.The tribunal had formally shown the four as arrested in the case on 9 April.
According to the prosecution, prior to Abu Sayed’s killing on 16 July 2024, Proctor Shariful Islam, along with BCL leaders and activists, allegedly assaulted students and forced them to vacate the university campus. During the confrontation, two police officers reportedly shot Abu Sayed at close range, resulting in his death.
Sayed’s family lodged a formal complaint on 13 January, naming 25 individuals in connection with the incident. The investigation has since expanded, leading to the current list of 30 accused.
