Two former police officers sentenced to death, 28 others jailed in Abu Sayed killing case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 today convicted two former police officers and sentenced them to death, along with 28 others who received varying jail terms, in a crimes-against-humanity case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, delivered the verdict this afternoon. The death sentences were handed to former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and former constable Sujan Chandra Roy.

Life imprisonment was awarded to former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman, former Tajhat Police Station officer-in-charge Md Robiul Islam, and former sub-inspector Bivuti Bhushan Roy.

The tribunal also sentenced several individuals—including former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, former associate professors Moshiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondol, and former BRUR BCL president Pomel Barua—to 10 years in prison each.

Eight others, including former deputy police commissioner Mohammed Abu Maruf Hossain and former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, received five-year jail terms.

Another group—including former assistant registrar Hafizur Rahman and several Chhatra League leaders—were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

The court found former BRUR staff member Md Anwar Pervej guilty but ordered his release, considering the time he had already served in custody.

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam and other members of the prosecution were present during the pronouncement of the verdict.

In his remarks before delivering the judgment, Justice Mazumder said Abu Sayed had stood with his hands outstretched, believing those before him were human. “But they had lost their humanity. They shot at him,” he said.

Earlier, proceedings began at 12:10pm, with the tribunal reading out a summary of the verdict from 12:15pm to 12:50pm.

The case had been kept under CAV (curia advisari vult) on January 27 after the conclusion of hearings. The prosecution had sought maximum punishment, while the defence argued for acquittal.

Of the 30 accused, six were present in court, while the others were tried in absentia. Charges were formally framed on August 6, 2025, following the submission of the investigation report on June 24.

According to the prosecution, on July 16, 2024, shortly before Abu Sayed was killed, students were driven off campus with the help of Chhatra League activists, after which two policemen allegedly shot him at close range.

The case was filed by Abu Sayed’s family on January 13, 2025, initially naming 25 individuals.