A new prosecution witness (PW) on Wednesday testified at the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of seven youths and the subsequent burning of the bodies of six of them in Ashulia on 5 August 2024.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, at the end of Wednesday's proceedings, adjourned the hearing till 12 November.
Md Shahriar Hossain Sajib, 23, appeared as PW-22 and narrated how he witnessed a man being shot in front of him, and how he was unable to save the victim due to continuous gunfire. His friend Sajal was also killed that day.
Sajib himself sustained pellet injuries to his legs on 5 August 2024, and said he saw accused Awami League (AL) leader Roni Bhuiyan along with accomplices of prime accused former lawmaker Saiful Islam loading guns, firing at people alongside police, and setting vehicles on fire.
On 21 August, the tribunal framed charges against 16 accused in the case. Of them, eight are in custody. Seven of those pleaded not guilty today and demanded justice. Another accused, sub-inspector (SI) Sheikh Abzalul Haque, however, pleaded guilty and sought permission to turn approver.
The seven who pleaded not guilty are former Additional Superintendent of Police (crimes and operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP (Savar circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former DB Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, ex-sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant SI Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder.
"A total of 29 people were killed during the uprising in Savar. One person was killed on 4 August and six the next day. By killing the innocents, the accused committed one offence; by burning their bodies on 5 August, they committed another," the prosecution said earlier.
On 16 July, the tribunal ordered public notices in two national dailies to summon eight fugitives accused to surrender. It said that if they fail to do so, the trial will proceed in absentia.
Earlier on 2 July, ICT-2 took cognisance of the formal charges, which accuse the defendants of shooting six youths on 5 August 2024 - killing five instantly - and burning their bodies, along with another injured youth, allegedly in an attempt to destroy evidence. Arrest warrants were issued that day against the eight fugitive suspects, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Nurul Islam.
The ICT investigation agency submitted its probe report on 19 June.
According to the prosecution, police placed the victims' bodies in a van and set it ablaze, making it appear as if protesters had torched it. One victim was reportedly still alive when the fire was set.
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