The father of July martyr Rasel Rana, who was shot dead during July mass uprising, gave his deposition before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Thursday.
Rasel’s father Pintu Rahman testified against 12 accused, including former Member of Parliament Shamim Osman, in connection with crimes against humanity committed in Narayanganj.
In his recorded deposition, Pintu Rahman said he resides in Naogaon. His deceased son, Rasel Rana, was employed at Ibrahim Factory in Narayanganj, which is owned by Rasel’s cousin, Bulbul.
On 19 July 2024, at around 4pm, Rasel called his father to say he was joining the protest and requested his prayers.
According to Pintu, he received a phone call from a friend of Rasel at around 6:30pm that same evening.
The friend informed him that Rasel had been shot in the chest during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and was being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Due to an ongoing curfew in Naogaon at the time, Pintu was unable to travel to Dhaka. He instead sent his cousin Bulbul and another cousin, Rafiqul, to the hospital.
Pintu testified that on the morning of 22 July, Bulbul called him to report that Rasel had died at DMCH. Bulbul subsequently transported Rasel’s body to Naogaon in an ambulance, where he was laid to rest in the family graveyard following salat al-janazah.
Following his son’s death, Pintu learned from various newspaper, Facebook, and YouTube reports that gunfire had been directed at protesters in Chasara area of Narayanganj at approximately 6pm on 19 July.
In his deposition, the grieving father alleged that former MP Shamim Osman, his son Ayon Osman, nephew Azmeri Osman, Titu, Viki, journalist Raju, Riyad, Dis Babu, and several other leaders and activists of Narayanganj Awami League and Chhatra League, carried weapons and fired indiscriminately at the protesters in Chasara area.
The armed group then moved towards BB Road and Nayamati.
Pintu claimed that eyewitnesses confirmed his son was shot and killed by the gunfire of the accused, adding that several people had recorded video footage of the incident.
He concluded his testimony by demanding exemplary justice for his son’s death, calling for the trial of the then-ruling government and all those responsible.
Formal charges and background
Formal proceedings in the case commenced on 13 May, when the tribunal framed charges against Shamim Osman and 11 other accused, all of whom are currently absconding.
The prosecution alleges that Shamim Osman participated in the killings with weapons in his hands to suppress the July mass uprising and was involved in the conspiracy to murder students and the general public.
The prosecution further claims that he personally opened fire.
There are three specific charges of crimes against humanity brought against the accused in this case.
The prosecution alleges that Shamim Osman, along with his armed force of 11 other accused, carried out the killings in Narayanganj with the permission of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
In addition to Shamim Osman, the accused include his son Ayon Osman, his nephew Azmeri Osman, and various leaders and activists of the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League.
The three charges relate to the killing of a total of 10 people in the Fatullah, Chasara, and Signboard areas of Narayanganj on 19 and 21 July, and 5 August 2024.
