In the case filed for crimes against humanity against 16 individuals, including former MP Saiful Islam, on charges of murdering seven people including burning the bodies of six people in Ashulia during the July mass uprising, arguments will be presented on 14 and 15 January.
The dates were set by the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT) on Sunday. scheduled these dates for presenting arguments. On Sunday, one of the accused in this case, former Inspector of Dhaka District Police Arafat Hossain, gave self-defense testimony on his own behalf.
On the prosecution’s side were Md Mizanul Islam, Faruq Ahmad, and BM Sultan Mahmud. Later, Faruq Ahmad informed journalists that since the defence has provided self-defence testimony, they will present arguments first.
Earlier, on 5 January, the testimony of investigation officer Jahan Alam Khan in this case was completed. In this case, the arrested include former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka District Md. Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional Superintendent of Police (Savar Circle) of Dhaka District Police Md Shahidul Islam, Inspector Arafat Hossain, SI Malek, SI Arafat Uddin, ASI Kamrul Hasan, Abjal, and Constable Mukul. However, eight individuals, including former MP Saiful, are still fugitives.
On 2 July last year, the prosecution submitted the formal charges in this case to the tribunal. Along with the formal charges, 313 pages, 62 witnesses, 168 pages of documentary evidence, and two pen drives were attached as other sources of information. Later, the tribunal took cognizance of the charges against 16 individuals in this case. Arrest warrants were also issued against the eight fugitives accused.
On 5 August 2024, six individuals lost their lives due to police gunfire in Ashulia, Savar. Subsequently, police loaded their bodies onto a van and burnt them. It was later revealed that one of those burnt had been alive during the brutal incident.
Petrol was poured and the living person was burned to death. The day before, one person was martyred. In connection with this incident, a case was filed at the International Crimes Tribunal on 11 September 2024, under charges of crimes against humanity.
