Rangpur: International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Prosecutor Barrister SM Moinul Karim has announced that the prosecution is diligently working to expedite the trial of the Abu Sayeed murder case. The trial is expected to begin shortly, with the prosecution team ensuring thorough investigation and preparation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Barrister Karim made this statement while speaking to journalists after visiting the site where Abu Sayeed, a student of the English Department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), was fatally shot by police during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on July 16. The ICT prosecutor emphasized that the investigation will determine the defendants, regardless of whether names of prominent figures, such as the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, arise.
Barrister Karim is leading a 12-member ICT prosecution team investigating the murder of Abu Sayeed, alongside other cases related to the July uprising in Rangpur. The team visited Abu Sayeed’s family home in Babanpur village, Pirganj upazila, and gathered information from family members as part of the investigation.
The prosecution team also examined the scene of the murder at the Abu Sayeed Gate (formerly Gate No 1) of BRUR, creating a sketch map of the site. They engaged with journalists, witnesses, and collected original electronic footage from the scene to aid in the investigation.
Further efforts included a meeting with BRUR Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali and discussions with victims and relatives of the martyrs from the July-August uprising. The team aims to gather comprehensive data and witness testimonies to support the upcoming trial.
Barrister Karim expressed the team’s commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice. He noted the slow pace of similar cases in Bangladesh but assured that the prosecution is working tirelessly to expedite the trial process. He highlighted the importance of maintaining international standards in their work, emphasizing the need for raw video evidence from journalists.
The ICT Prosecutor reiterated the team’s determination to uphold justice without succumbing to time constraints or external pressures, ensuring a fair and timely trial for those involved in the Abu Sayeed murder case.