Makbul Hossain, father of Abu Sayeed, who is the first deceased during the 2024 July uprising, on Thursday testified before the International Crimes Tribunal-2, stating that two police members shot his university-going son dead.
The three-judge tribunal, chaired by retired High Court judge Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, recorded the testimony in a case of crimes against humanity against a former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Hasibur Rashid, and 29 others.
The accused include 11 university officials, eight police officers, nine leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League, and a physician loyal of Awami League, which activities remain banned.
Makbul demanded justice and the trial of the members of Juba League, banned student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League, and others involved in his son鈥檚 death.
鈥業 was allowed to see my son鈥檚 body for just a minute before the bath of the body. I saw blood pouring from the back of his head and bullet wounds in his chest,鈥� said 85-year-old Makbul.
鈥楲ater, I heard that police members Amir Ali and Sujan Chandra shot him.鈥�
The tribunal adjourned the hearing until September 7, when it is scheduled to record testimony from聽NTV鈥檚 Rangpur-based聽journalist AKM Moinul Haque, who covered the protest live.
State-appointed lawyers for 24 fugitive accused declined to cross-examine the witness, stating that his testimony did not directly involve their clients.
Lawyers for four detained accused, including former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, staff members Anwar Parvez Appel and Rafiul Hasan Rasel, and BCL leader Imran Chowdhury Akash also declined to cross-examine, citing a lack of evidence against their clients.
Defence lawyer Aminul Gani Titu, representing Shariful Islam, refused to cross-examine the witness, alleging that the prosecution obstructed him when he raised questions beyond the content of the聽testimony.
During cross-examination by defence lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu, who represents assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and constable Sujan Chandra, Sayeed鈥檚 father said that he heard about the police involvement from others and that the entire nation saw it on television and social media platforms.
Azizur claimed that his clients were not responsible for the fatal injuries that caused the death of Abu Sayeed.
Makbul said that he could not determine the size of the bullet wounds in his son鈥檚 chest.
He also said that three days before the killing, BCL leader Pomel Barua had slapped Abu Sayeed and accused him of participating in anti-government聽protests. Sayeed denied the claim, saying that he聽was protesting for student rights.
Makbul said that his only wish now is to live long enough to see justice served for his son鈥檚 killing.
鈥楨arlier, I used to say my son would get a job. Now I just want to die after seeing those responsible 鈥� the members of Juba League, Chhatra League, and others 鈥� tried and punished for my son鈥檚 martyrdom.
Makbul shared that Abu Sayeed had received a full talent-based scholarship in Class VII, later securing a place at a government college where he supported himself by giving private tuition.
He was later admitted to the English department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.
鈥楬e bore all his expenses through tuition. I always believed that he would get a government job. Now, I have only one demand. I want justice for my meritorious son,鈥� Makbul added.
Makbul came to Dhaka from Pirganj, Rangpur聽 on Tuesday to testify in the case.
He said that he had just returned from working in a crop field when he heard the news that his son had been shot.
His two other sons and the husbands of his three daughters rushed to see Abu Sayeed, first at the university and later at Rangpur Medical College morgue. Police initially denied them access to the body, but later allowed it after an argument.
Abu Sayeed鈥檚 body was brought to their Pirganj home, about 30鈥�35 miles from the university on early July 17. The university authorities wanted to bury the body immediately upon arrival at about 3:00 am. However, the family insisted on burying him at the family graveyard after funeral prayers at 9:00am on the same day.
A widely circulated video of Abu Sayeed鈥檚 killing shows him standing alone with arms outstretched before collapsing from a police bullet. The footage went viral, sparking nationwide outrage and escalating protests.
Abu Sayeed is widely recognised as the first martyr of the 2024 student-led uprising that began on July 1, demanding an end to discrimination in public sector recruitment.
The movement ultimately led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.
