The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Thursday sentenced two former policemen to death and handed various prison terms to 28 others in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July–August uprising in 2024.
The death row convicts are former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and former constable Sujon Chandra Roy, both currently in custody.
Three others were sentenced to life imprisonment: former assistant commissioner of police (Kotwali Zone) Arifuzzaman alias Jiban, former officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Rabiul Islam alias Nayan, and former BRUR camp in-charge Bibhuti Bhushan Ray alias Madhab.
The verdict was delivered by a three-member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members. Proceedings began around 12:00pm.
Five individuals were sentenced to 10 years in prison, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Dr Hasibur Rashid and former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Moniruzzaman.
Eight others received five-year jail terms, including former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam and several police and university officials.
Eleven individuals were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in the case.
The tribunal also found former BRUR staffer Md Anwar Pervez guilty but ordered his release, considering the time already served in custody as sufficient.
Six of the 30 accused were present in court, while the rest were tried in absentia.
In his remarks, the tribunal chairman said Abu Sayed had stood with his hands outstretched, believing those in front of him were human, but they opened fire after losing their humanity.
Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of BRUR’s English department, was shot dead on July 16, 2024, during student protests in front of the university.
His killing intensified the movement, which later culminated in a mass uprising and led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
According to case documents, the investigation report was submitted on June 24, 2025, and the tribunal took cognizance on June 30. Charges were framed against 30 accused on August 6, and the trial began on August 27.
The tribunal fixed March 5 this year for delivering the verdict.
Abu Sayed’s family filed the case on January 13, 2025, initially naming 25 individuals.
