Family of July Martyr Abu Sayed has expressed satisfaction with the death sentences handed down to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.
Reacting to the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday, Sayed’s elder brother Ramzan Ali said the family welcomed the judgement.
He also said, “We are pleased with the verdict. But we call on the authorities to enforce it quickly.”
Sayed’s father, Mokbul Hossain, said, “It must not end with just a ruling. The convicts must be brought back to the country and the sentence carried out without delay.”
His mother, Monowara Begum, said no punishment could compensate for the loss of her son. “The emptiness left by my boy will never be filled. No mother should ever go through what I have endured. Exemplary punishment must be ensured,” she said.
Earlier in the day, a three-member bench headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder announced the verdict. The other members of the tribunal were Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Alongside Hasina and Kamal, the third accused in the case was former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives, Al-Mamun was arrested and later testified as a state witness, admitting his involvement. In his deposition, he said Sheikh Hasina had ordered the use of “lethal weapons” to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement on 18 July last year, instructions he received through then home minister Kamal.
Abu Sayed was killed on 16 July last year during clashes between students, police, Chhatra League and Jubo League near Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur amid the quota reform movement.
