2 former policemen get death penalty in Abu Sayed killing case
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 today convicted and sentenced two former policemen to death in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising. The two death-row-convicts are former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain, and former constable Sujan Chandra Roy. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, pronounced the judgment this afternoon.
In his pre-verdict remarks, the tribunal chairman said that on the day of the incident, Abu Sayed stood with his two hands outstretched. “He believed those standing before him were human, but in reality, they had lost their humanity. They shot at him,” Justice Mazumder said. Earlier, the court proceedings began at 12:10 pm. The tribunal started reading out the summary of the judgment at 12:15 pm, while concluded at 12.50 pm.
On January 27, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing. Earlier, on January 25, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for the accused, while the defence pleaded for their acquittal.
Six of the 30 accused are currently behind bars and faced trial in person, while the remaining accused are yet to be arrested and were tried in absentia. The six arrested accused are former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel, former staffer Md Anwar Pervej, former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy and former BRUR Chhatra League general secretary Imran Chowdhury Akash.
The tribunal framed charges against all 30 accused on August 6, 2025. The other 26 accused are former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, former deputy police commissioner Mohammed Abu Maruf Hossain, former additional deputy police commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari, former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman, former officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Robiul Islam, sub-inspector Bivuti Bhushan Roy, Moshiur Rahman, Asaduzzaman Mondol, Hafizur Rahman, Dr Sarwar Hussain Chandan, Moniruzzaman Palash, Pomel Barua, Mahafuzur Rahman Shamim, Fazle Rabbi, Akhtar Hossain, Sezan Ahmed, Dhananjay Kumar, Babul Hossain, Masudul Hasan, Mohammad Nurunnobi Mondol, Nur Alam Mia, Mahabubar Rahman and AKM Amir Hossain.
The investigation agency submitted its probe report on June 24, 2025, accusing 30 individuals in the case. According to the prosecution, on July 16, 2024, shortly before Abu Sayed's death, the then proctor allegedly forced students off the campus with the help of Chhatra League activists, after which two policemen reportedly fired at Abu Sayed at close range. Abu Sayed's family filed the complaint on January 13, 2025, naming 25 individuals.
