The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sentenced two former policemen to death and others to varying jail terms in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the 2024 July uprising.
The death-row convicts are former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and former constable Sujan Chandra Roy.
Of the other convicts, three were sentenced to life in prison, five to 10 years, eight to five years, and 11 were jailed for three years.
Former assistant deputy commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) Arifuzzaman alias Jibon, former inspector Rabiul Islam alias Nayan, and ex-sub-inspector Bibhuti Bhushan Roy alias Madhab were sentenced to life in prison.
Former BRUR vice chancellor Hasibur Rashid, its teachers Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondal, former RMP commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, president of BRUR unit of banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Pomel Barua received 10 years each.
Former RMP deputy commissioner Abu Maruf Hossain alias Titu, former additional DC Shah Nur Alam Patwari alias Sumon, former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, Hafizur Rahman alias Tufan, Imran Chowdhury alias Akash, Masudul Hasan alias Masud, AKM Amir Hossain alias Amu, and Dr Sarowat Hossain alias Chandan were each sentenced to five years in prison.
Md Moniruzzaman Palash, Mahafuzur Rahman Shamim, Fazle Rabbi, Akhtar Hossain, Sejan Ahmed alias Arif, Dhananjay Kumar alias Tagor, Babul Hossain, Mohammad Nurunnabi Mondal, Nur Alam Mia, and Mahabubar Rahman alias Babu are among those who were jailed for three years.
Of the convicts, Anwar Parvez has already served his jail term, paving the way for his release.
The three-member ICT-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Mazumder, delivered the verdict.
Of the convicts, six were present at the dock when the tribunal pronounced the verdict while the rest were tried in absentia. Those who are in custody are Amir Hossain, Sujan Chandra, Shariful Islam, Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russel and Anwar Pervez.
Earlier on March 5, the tribunal fixed April 9 for pronouncing the verdict in the case.
On June 30, 2025, the ICT took cognisance of charges against 30 people, including former BRUR vice chancellor Hasibur Rashid
The ICT investigation agency submitted a charge sheet against them on June 24, 2025.
Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of BRUR’s English department, was shot dead during students’ protests on July 16 2024 in front of the university.
The killing intensified the movement, which ultimately culminated in a mass uprising, leading to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.