The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has formally accepted charges in a case involving the alleged burning of bodies during last year’s anti-discrimination movement in Ashulia. Arrest warrants have been issued for eight accused who are currently on the run.
The order was delivered on Wednesday by a three-member bench of the tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 13.
According to the investigation report, 16 individuals were found to be involved in the incident. Of them, eight are already in custody and were produced before the tribunal today.
The arrested individuals include former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime & Ops) for Dhaka district Md. Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional SP (Savar Circle) Shahidul Islam, Detective Branch Inspector Arafat Hossain, Sub-Inspectors Malek and Arafat Uddin, Assistant Sub-Inspector Kamrul Hasan, and Constable Mukul.
The case stems from a violent episode on August 5 last year, when police allegedly opened fire and detained six young men during the height of the anti-discrimination protests in Ashulia, Savar.
According to the investigation, the victims were subsequently placed in a police van which was then set on fire, resulting in the death of all six individuals. The report also noted that at least one of the victims was still alive at the time of the burning.
The tribunal is treating the incident as a case of crimes against humanity, marking one of the most high-profile prosecutions stemming from the July–August civil uprising.
The issuance of arrest warrants for the absconding accused signals a significant step forward in the judicial process.
