Dhaka, July 16 (V7N) — Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) in Rangpur, became the first martyr of the July uprising demanding quota reform in government jobs. On July 16, 2024, during a protest in front of the university gate, he was fatally shot by police.
 
Following the incident, an investigation report and formal charges have been submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal. The prosecution division of the tribunal confirmed that charges will be framed against the accused this month.
 
On Tuesday, tribunal prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim told media that on July 22, two public notices will be published calling on 24 absconding accused in the Abu Saeed murder case to appear before the court. On the same day, state-appointed lawyers will be assigned to represent those fugitives. Afterward, the tribunal will set a date to hear the charge framing. The formal trial is expected to begin by the end of this month.
 
On Sunday, the tribunal, led by Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, ordered the publication of notices for the absconding accused and summoned two other accused—Rafiul Hasan Russel and Anwar Parvez Apel, who are currently detained in other cases—to appear in court in this case.
 
Abu Saeed’s mother filed the complaint at the tribunal on February 25, 2025. After four months of investigation, charges were filed against 30 people, including former BRUR Vice-Chancellor Hasibur Rashid. The investigation report, submitted on June 24, details that Abu Saeed was shot at close range by police while he stood with a stick raised, offering his chest.
 
The report accuses the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of ordering the killing. It states that she instructed the Home Minister to deploy lethal weapons against protesters. This command was passed down through the Police IG to all officers, authorizing the use of deadly force. Acting under this directive, police officers shot Abu Saeed.
 
The investigation found involvement of 30 individuals, including the former Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police. It alleges that Sheikh Hasina’s direct orders were executed on the ground by law enforcement officers, as well as leaders and activists of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League.
 
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam recently told media that former Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain and Constable Sujon Chandra Roy directly fired the fatal shots. Other accused played active roles in the attack, assault, and subsequent cover-up, including coercing changes to medical and postmortem reports.
 
After thorough review, the prosecution submitted a 109-page formal charge sheet to the tribunal on June 30. The tribunal issued arrest warrants against 26 absconding accused the same day. Among the accused currently in custody are former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, former SI Amir Hossain, former Tazhat police constable Sujon Chandra Roy, and former Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash.
 
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