Verdict on Abu Sayed murder: Two cops to die, 3 jailed for life

Two police officers have been sentenced to death for the killing of Abu Sayed, while three others received life imprisonment and 25 additional accused were handed varying jail terms by the tribunal.

The verdict was delivered on April 9 by the three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury.

The other members of the bench were retired district and sessions judge Md Manjurul Bashid and district and sessions judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The two convicts sentenced to death are former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and constable Sujan Chandra Roy.

Three others—former assistant commissioner of police (Kotwali Zone) Arifuzzaman (also known as Jiban), former inspector of Tajhat Police Station Rabiul Islam (Nayan), and former camp in-charge of Begum Rokeya University Bibhuti Bhushan Ray (Madhab)—were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Among the remaining accused, seven individuals were sentenced to 10 years in prison.

They include former vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Moniruzzaman, university teachers Moshiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondal, assistant registrars Rafiul Hasan Russell and Hafizur Rahman, and banned Chhatra League leader Pomel Barua.

Eight others received five-year prison terms, including former deputy commissioner Abu Maruf Hossain, additional deputy commissioner Shah Noor Alam Patowary, former university proctor Shariful Islam, student leaders Emran Chowdhury and Masudul Hasan, university staff member Mahabubar Rahman, physician Sarowat Hossain, and employee AKM Amir Hossain.

Of the total convicts, only six were present in court during the verdict, while the others were tried in absentia.

Those currently in custody include Amir Hossain, Shariful Islam, Sujan Chandra Roy, and several others.

The tribunal began reading the verdict around 12:15pm, observing that the police officers involved had “turned inhuman” at the time of the incident.

The court noted that Abu Sayed had stood unarmed and fearless, believing the officers would not harm him.

Following the judgment, defence lawyers expressed dissatisfaction and announced plans to appeal to the Appellate Division after reviewing the full verdict.

Case timeline The tribunal had set April 9 for delivering the verdict after concluding hearings.

Proceedings were placed under CAV on January 27, meaning the court reserved its judgment.

The prosecution presented testimony from 25 witnesses, including eyewitnesses, experts, journalists, doctors, and police personnel.

Evidence also included CCTV footage and televised broadcasts. Among those who testified was Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah.

The tribunal took cognisance of charges against 30 accused on June 30 last year and issued arrest warrants for those absconding. The formal trial began on August 27 after charges were framed earlier that month.

Abu Sayed, a student of the English department at Begum Rokeya University, was shot dead on July 16, 2024, during student protests.

His death intensified the movement, which eventually led to a mass uprising and the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.