Primary evidence found against 30 accused: IO

Testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 for the second consecutive day yesterday, the investigation officer (IO) in the case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed during last year's July uprising said the involvement of 30 accused in the crimes against humanity case has been proven at the primary level.

IO Ruhul Amin also told the tribunal that he found evidence indicating the doctor, who prepared Sayed's post-mortem report, had been pressured to change the report six times.

He further said that seized evidence, statements from the victim's family members and injured witnesses, along with other collected materials, indicate that crimes against humanity were committed in a systematic and widespread manner against unarmed students and civilians during the anti-discrimination student movement in July-August 2024.

A total of 30 individuals, including senior university and police officials, have been accused of murder and crimes against humanity. The accused include former Begum Rokeya University vice-chancellor Md Hasibur Rashid and former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman. They face charges of murder, attempted murder, abetment and complicity in crimes against humanity.

As the deposition was not completed yesterday, the IO will continue testifying before the tribunal for a third day today as the 25th witness in the case. Once his testimony is completed, he will be cross-examined by defence lawyers, after which the case will move to the argument stage.

Referring to two audio conversations involving deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina with then DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and former Dhaka University vice-chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal, seized by the investigation agency, the IO said Hasina was heard instructing the use of lethal weapons against anti-discrimination protesters and making conspiratorial plans to suppress the legitimate movement by killing protesting students.

Meanwhile, the tribunal allowed its investigation agency to submit the probe report by January 28, 2026, in a crimes against humanity case filed over several killings and injuries in front of Gouripur Police Station in Mymensingh during the July uprising.