Dhaka, Aug 7 (V7N) – The International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, began the formal charge-framing hearing today in the case related to crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising in Ashulia, where six protesters were allegedly burned to death.

A total of 16 individuals have been accused in the case, including former high-ranking police officers and political figures. Of the accused, eight are currently in custody and were produced before the tribunal on Thursday.

The arrested individuals include:

  • Md. Shahidul Islam, former Additional Superintendent of Police, Savar Circle

  • Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional Superintendent of Police, Dhaka District

  • Md. Arafat Hossain, former Inspector, Detective Police North

  • Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, Kamrul Hasan, and Sheikh Abzalul Haque, all former Sub-Inspectors of Ashulia Police Station

  • Mukul Chokder, former constable

The remaining eight accused, including former Member of Parliament Muhammad Saiful Islam and former Sub-Inspector Bishwajit Saha, are currently on the run. The tribunal has appointed two state defence lawyers to represent these absconding defendants during the proceedings.

The case stems from one of the most horrific incidents of the July 2025 mass uprising, where six demonstrators were allegedly detained and burned alive in an effort to suppress anti-government protests in the Ashulia area. The incident has been widely condemned both locally and internationally, and is considered a major flashpoint in the growing movement for accountability and democratic reform in Bangladesh.

The tribunal is now set to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a full trial. The prosecution is expected to present evidence of torture, extrajudicial killings, and attempts to cover up the incident.

Further proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

END/RH/AJ