The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against 30 individuals accused in the murder of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, during the July uprising. The case has been filed under charges of crimes against humanity.
The order to frame charges was issued on Wednesday (August 6) at 11:50 AM by a three-member judicial panel headed by Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Md. Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
Among the 30 accused, 24 remain fugitives, while six are currently in custody. The detained individuals include ASI Amir Hossain, former Proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, Constable Sujon Chandra Roy, and Chhatra League leaders Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russel, and Anwar Parvez. All six appeared in court during the indictment hearing.
Earlier, on July 30, the tribunal had set August 6 as the date to pass the indictment order after concluding preliminary hearings.
On that day, the tribunal appointed four state defense lawyers to represent the 24 fugitives.
Advocate Sujat Mia represented five of them, while Advocate Mamunur Rashid represented some of the accused affiliated with the now-banned student wing, Chhatra League. Advocates Ishrat Jahan and Shahidul Islam also participated in the defense.
The prosecution was led by Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, accompanied by Mizanul Islam, Moinul Karim, and Abdus Sattar Palwan.
On July 28, the prosecution concluded its arguments for framing charges. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam presented the detailed allegations during a nearly two-hour-long hearing.
On July 22, the tribunal had appointed state defense lawyers for the 24 fugitives, including the former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University and a former Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police. The tribunal also scheduled the formal hearing for July 28.
Following the July 28 hearing, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam informed the media that the tribunal had issued public notices in two national newspapers to summon the 24 absconding accused.
As they failed to appear, the trial will proceed in absentia. He also noted that two of the six detained accused had yet to appoint legal counsel, and the tribunal had sought clarification on their status.
Earlier, on July 13, the tribunal had directed authorities to produce accused Russel and Parvez—already in custody in connection with a related case—before the court. The tribunal also instructed law enforcement to publish notices in newspapers to facilitate the arrest of the 24 fugitives.
On June 30, the tribunal formally took cognizance of the charges. Arrest warrants for the fugitives were also issued.
The investigation agency had submitted its final report on June 24, naming 30 individuals as accused in the case.
