The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) is set to deliver its judgment on Thursday in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of seven youths and the subsequent burning of six of their bodies in Ashulia on August 5, 2024.
The tribunal fixed the date on February 1, after keeping the case under CAV (curia advisory vult—meaning the court reserved its verdict) on January 20, when hearings and legal arguments concluded.
On August 21, 2025, the tribunal framed charges against 16 accused in connection with the incident. Of them, eight are currently in custody.Seven of the accused pleaded not guilty and sought justice, while Sub-Inspector (SI) Sheikh Abzalul Haque admitted guilt and later turned approver.
Those who pleaded not guilty are former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Assistant Superintendent of Police (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former Detective Branch Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder.
"A total of 29 people were killed during the July Uprising in Savar. One person was killed on August 4 and six the next day. By killing the innocents, the accused committed one offence; by burning their bodies on August 5, they committed another," the prosecution said earlier.
The prosecution told the tribunal that a total of 29 people were killed during the July Uprising in Savar. One person was killed on August 4, followed by six more the next day. The prosecution argued that the killings constituted one offence, while the burning of the victims’ bodies on August 5 amounted to a separate offence.
On July 16, the tribunal ordered public notices to be published in two national daily newspapers, summoning eight fugitive accused to surrender. It said the trial would proceed in absentia if they failed to appear.
Earlier, on July 2, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) took cognisance of the formal charges, which allege that the accused shot six youths on August 5, 2024, killing five on the spot. The charges further state that the bodies of the five victims, along with another injured youth, were set on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Arrest warrants were issued the same day against 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 June 19.
According to the prosecution, police placed the victims’ bodies inside a van and set it ablaze to make it appear that protesters had torched the vehicle. Prosecutors claim that one of the victims was still alive when the fire was set.