International Crimes Tribunal sentences ex‑MP Saiful to death

The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced former MP Saiful to death in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of seven people and the burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising. The verdict was announced on Thursday, 5 February.

The judgment was read by a three‑member panel of International Crimes Tribunal‑2 led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members were Judge Md Manjurul Bachid and Judge Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The case had been kept pending for verdict on 20 January after arguments from both the prosecution and the defense were completed. Earlier, on 14 and 15 January, Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam and Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam argued for the prosecution. The defense was represented by lawyers Syed Mizanur Rahman and S M Mirajul Alam Azman.

Those arrested in the case are former Dhaka district additional superintendent of police (Crime and Ops) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Dhaka district additional superintendent (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, SI Abdul Malek, SI Arafat Uddin, ASI Kamrul Hasan, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, and Constable Mukul Chokdar. Former MP Saiful and eight others remain absconding.

The absconding accused are former MP for Dhaka‑19 Muhammad Saiful Islam, former Dhaka Range DIG Syed Nurul Islam, former superintendent of police Md Asaduzzaman Ripon, former Ashulia police station OC AFM Sayed Roni, former police inspector (investigation) Mohammad Masudur Rahman, former police inspector (operations) Nirmal Kumar Das, former ASI Bishwajit Saha, and local Awami League leader Roni Bhuiyan.

The tribunal delivered the verdict for 16 accused in this crimes against humanity case. The seven people who were killed are identified as Shaheed Sazzad Hossain Sojol, A S Sabur, Tanzil Mahmud Sujoy, Bayezid Bostami, Abul Hossain, Omar Faruk, and Mohammad Shahabul Islam.