2 Policemen Sentenced to Death, 3 to Life Imprisonment

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) has delivered its verdict on the killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), who was shot dead by police during the July 2024 student movement.

The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, sentenced former ASI Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy to death.

Three other police officers—former Assistant Commissioner Arifuzzaman, Inspector Rabiul Islam Nayan, and SI Bibhuti Bhushan Roy—received life imprisonment.

The tribunal also sentenced former BRUR teachers Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mandal to 10 years in prison. Former university Chhatra League President Pomel Barua received 10 years, while five other student leaders were sentenced to 3 years each.

A total of 30 individuals were accused in the case, including former Vice-Chancellor Md. Hasibur Rashid. Of these, only six were present in court, including former Proctor Shariful Islam and the two policemen sentenced to death. The remaining 24 accused, including the former VC and several high-ranking police officials, remain absconding.

Abu Sayeed was killed on July 16, 2024. Footage of him standing unarmed with arms outstretched as police fired directly at his chest became a defining image of the anti-discrimination movement, sparking nationwide outrage that eventually led to a mass uprising.