The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-2) has concluded hearings from both the prosecution and the defense in the case concerning the burning of six protesters’ bodies in Ashulia, near Dhaka, during the July mass uprising. The tribunal has scheduled the formal framing of charges for August 21.
The order was announced on Wednesday, August 13, by ICT-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other two members of the tribunal are Justices Md. Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
On behalf of the defense, government-appointed lawyers Amir Hossain and Patuary M. Mahadi Hasan presented their arguments. The prosecution was represented by Gazi M.H. Tamim, along with prosecutors Faruq Ahmad, Saimum Reza Talukder, and Abdus Sattar Palwan.
Earlier, following the prosecution’s hearing on August 7, the defense requested a one-week period to prepare their arguments. The tribunal approved this request and set August 13 for the hearing, which has now concluded.
A total of 16 accused are implicated in the case. Among them, eight have been arrested and were present in court today. The arrested include former Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Savar Circle Md. Shahidul Islam, former ASP of Dhaka District Abdullahil Kafi, former DB North inspector Md. Arafat Hossain, former Ashulia police sub-inspector Abdul Malek, and others: Arafat Uddin, Kamrul Hasan, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, and former constable Mukul Chokdar.
The remaining eight accused, including former Member of Parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam and former sub-inspector Bishwajit Saha, remain fugitives. The tribunal has appointed two government lawyers to represent the interests of these absconding accused.
