The International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday sentenced two individuals to death and three others to life imprisonment in a crimes against humanity case over the murder of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University who is recognised as the first martyr of the 2024 mass uprising. Other accused were given varying terms of imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday (April 9) by the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Manjurul Bached and Justice Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
The individuals sentenced to death are former Assistant Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain and former constable Sujon Chandra Roy. Those sentenced to life imprisonment are former Assistant Commissioner of Police Md Arifuzzaman, former Inspector (unarmed) Robiul Islam, and former Sub-Inspector (unarmed) Bibhutibhushan Roy.
The investigation report into Abu Sayeed’s death was submitted to prosecutors on June 26, 2025. The complaint was formally filed with the tribunal and accepted on June 30. Charges were framed against all 30 accused on August 6, and the trial commenced with opening statements on August 27.
On January 27, 2026, following concluding arguments from both the state and defence, the case was kept pending for a verdict (CAV). The tribunal had subsequently fixed April 9 for the pronouncement of the verdict on March 5.
Abu Sayeed was killed on July 16, 2024, during the anti-discrimination student movement—an event that galvanised public sentiment and intensified protests across Bangladesh. His death became a pivotal moment in what came to be known as the July Movement, ultimately contributing to the ousting of the Awami League-led government in a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024.