The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sentenced two former police officers to death for the killing of Abu Sayed, an iconic figure of the July 2024 mass uprising.
The three-member bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, also handed life imprisonment to three others, while 25 of the total 30 accused received varying jail terms.
The death-row convicts are former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and constable Sujan Chandra Roy.
Three others – former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman, former inspector (unarmed) Rabiul Islam and a former sub-inspector – were given life imprisonment.
Among those convicted, 24 remain at large.
Amir Hossain and Sujan Roy were present in court during the verdict and protested against the ruling.
Abu Sayed’s family expressed dissatisfaction, saying they had expected more death sentences. Prosecutors said they would review the judgement before deciding whether to appeal.
Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was shot at close range by police during protests on 16 July 2024.
Video footage showed him standing with both arms outstretched in front of armed officers moments before he was hit. He was later declared dead at hospital.
His killing sparked nationwide outrage and became a turning point in the movement against quotas in government jobs, which later grew into a mass uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus decided to try the killing at the ICT.
Investigators submitted their report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on 24 June 2025.
Charges against the 30 accused were formally accepted on 30 June. On 22 July, four lawyers were appointed at state expense to represent the fugitives.
The trial began on 6 August with the framing of charges, followed by the prosecution’s opening statement on 27 August.
A total of 25 witnesses, including the investigating officer, testified for the prosecution. After closing arguments, on 5 March, the tribunal set the date for the verdict.
The judgement was delivered shortly after proceedings began at 12:13pm on Thursday, with the court reading out a summary of its findings.
Abu Sayed’s elder brothers, Ramzan Ali and Abu Hossain, were present in court at the time of the verdict.
Sentences given to remaining 25
The tribunal handed a range of prison terms to the remaining 25 convicted in the case, most of whom are absconding.
Former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Former deputy commissioner Md Abu Maruf Hossain, former additional deputy commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari and physician Md Sarwar Hossain Chandan were each given five-year sentences.
Among university officials, former Begum Rokeya University vice-chancellor Md Hasibur Rashid, former mathematics associate professor Md Mashiur Rahman and former public administration associate professor Asaduzzaman Mondol were each sentenced to 10 years.
All of them are on the run.
Two officials present in court – former proctor Shariful Islam and former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russell – were sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment.
Former office assistant-cum-computer operator Md Mahabubur Rahman received the same sentence in absentia.
Three-year sentences were handed to several former staff members, including assistant registrar Md Hafizur Rahman, section officer Md Moniruzzaman Palash, MLSS Mohammad Nurunnabi Mondol, security guard Nur Alam Mia and MLSS AKM Amir Hossain. All are absconding.
In the case of former contractual employee Md Anwar Parvez, the court ruled that his time already spent in custody would count as his sentence and ordered his immediate release, unless required in any other case.
Several former leaders of Chhatra League at the university were also convicted.
Former president Pomel Barua was sentenced to 10 years, joint general secretary Md Masudul Hasan to five years, and general secretary Md Mahafuzur Rahman, vice-presidents Md Fazle Rabbi and Md Akhtar Hossain, organising secretaries Sezan Ahmed and Dhananjay Kumar, and office secretary Babul Hossain were each given three-year rigorous imprisonment. All remain at large.
Convicts protest verdict, families demand harsher punishment
Two of the men sentenced to death protested loudly as they were led out of the tribunal.
Former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain pushed against police officers near the tribunal gate and shouted that he had been framed. Sujan Chandra Roy joined him, chanting slogans and rejecting the verdict.
“We do not accept this judgement,” both men said, claiming they were innocent.
Police quickly removed them from the tribunal premises.
Their lawyer, Azizur Rahman Dulu, said he was dissatisfied with the ruling and would appeal to a higher court.
“We presented more than 20 arguments for acquittal,” he said. “We believe justice will be served on appeal and the accused will be cleared.”
Family members of Abu Sayed also expressed frustration, though for different reasons.
His elder brother Ramzan Ali and younger brother Abu Hossain were present in court during the verdict. Abu Hossain said those who opened fire had acted under orders from senior officers who had not received the death penalty.
“That is where our dissatisfaction lies. We will definitely appeal,” he said.
Speaking to journalists in their home village of Babanpur in Pirganj, Sayed’s father Mokbul Hossain said more people should have been sentenced to death.
“Many accused have escaped proper punishment. The sentences should have been stricter,” he said.
His mother Monowara Begum said the verdict had not brought her peace.
“We would have been satisfied if more had been given the death penalty. My heart is still not at ease,” she said.
Chief prosecutor Aminul Islam said the prosecution was broadly satisfied as no one had been acquitted.
However, he added that some sentences appeared inadequate despite the charges being proven.
“We will review the verdict and decide on an appeal. If there are grounds, we will challenge it,” he said.
