Abu Sayed killing: Two sentenced to death, others receive varying prison terms

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 has sentenced two individuals to death in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising.

Several of the remaining 28 accused were handed life imprisonment, while others received varying prison terms.

The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, announced the verdict in the case around 12:45pm on Thursday (9 April).

The other members of the tribunal are judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The death-row convicts are former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and ex-constable Sujan Chandra Roy.

Former assistant commissioner of police Md Arifuzzaman, former officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Robiul Islam, and sub-inspector Bivuti Bhushan Roy were handed life imprisonment. All the three are absconding.

In the verdict, the tribunal sentenced BRUR teachers Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondol to 10 years’ imprisonment. It also handed a 10-year sentence to Pomel Barua, former president of the banned Chhatra League unit at the university, along with three-year prison terms for five other leaders.

Earlier, the tribunal on 5 March fixed today (9 April) for pronouncing the verdict in the case.

On 27 January, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing.

Earlier, on 25 January, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for the accused, while the defence pleaded for their acquittal.

Six of the 30 accused are currently behind bars and faced trial in person, while the remaining accused are yet to be arrested and were tried in absentia.

The six arrested accused are former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, former assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russel, former staffer Md Anwar Pervej, former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, former constable Sujan Chandra Roy and former BRUR Chhatra League general secretary Imran Chowdhury Akash.

The tribunal framed charges against all 30 accused on 6 August, 2025.

Earlier, on 30 June, 2025, ICT-2 issued arrest warrants against 26 fugitives, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, former deputy police commissioner Mohammed Abu Maruf Hossain, former additional deputy police commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari, former assistant commissioner Md Arifuzzaman, former officer-in-charge of Tajhat Police Station Robiul Islam, sub-inspector Bivuti Bhushan Roy and Dr Sarwar Hussain Chandan.

The investigation agency submitted its probe report on 24 June, 2025, accusing 30 individuals in the case.

According to the prosecution, on 16 July, 2024, shortly before Abu Sayed’s death, the then proctor allegedly forced students off the campus with the help of Chhatra League activists, after which two policemen reportedly fired at Abu Sayed at close range.

Abu Sayed’s family filed the complaint on 13 January, 2025, naming 25 individuals.