The ICT Prosecutor Barrister SM Moinul Karim visited the spot where Abu Sayeed, a brilliant student of English Department of BRUR was shot dead by police during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on July 16. Photo: BSS

 
RANGPUR, Jan 20, 2025 (BSS) - International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Prosecutor Barrister SM Moinul Karim has said the prosecution is working round the clock with an effort to begin the trial of Abu Sayeed murder case at the quickest possible time.
 
“Those will be accepted as defendants whose names come in the investigation into the Abu Sayeed murder case. It doesn't matter whether ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's name comes up or not,” he said.
 
The ICT Prosecutor made this statement while talking to journalists today after visiting the spot where Abu Sayeed, a brilliant student of English Department of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), was shot dead by police during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on July 16.
 
Barrister Karim is currently leading a 12-member ICT prosecution team to investigate  Shaheed Abu Sayeed murder case and other cases filed in connections with murders, attacks and injuries during the July uprising in Rangpur.
 
Earlier on Sunday, the ICT prosecution team visited the house of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in village Babanpur under Pirganj upazila of Rangpur and talked to the family members of Abu Sayeed in connection with the investigation process.
 
The ICT prosecution team today visited the scene of the murder of Abu Sayeed at the Abu Sayeed Gate (the then Gate No 1) of BRUR and prepared a 'sketch map' of the spot.
 
The team spoke to journalists and other witnesses at the scene about the killing of Abu Sayeed on the day of the incident and collected original footage of electronic devices.
 
The ICT prosecution team   also held a meeting with BRUR Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali at the university’s syndicate room in the administrative building.
 
Besides, the ICT team talked to a number of victims and relatives of the martyrs of the July-August   uprising at the university’s syndicate room as a part of the investigation process and collected important information.
 
Talking to journalists, Barrister SM Moinul Karim said that they have come to Rangpur to visit the spot of Abu Sayeed’s killing, collecting data and statements of the victims and those witnesses who were present there at that time.
 
“So, if we initially find out the truth through investigation, then we will accept it as a case...We will collect data and evidence available from the journalists too. Later, we will go to the hospitals where doctors provided primary treatment to the victims,” he said. 
 
Replying to a question, the ICT prosecutor said, “If we count the speed of the other cases from the perspective of Bangladesh, those take years after years…the charge sheet has not come so far in the Sagor-Runi murder case…”
 
“And there we received the accusation of the murder of Abu Sayeed just a week ago... We have left... We are working day and night…we will ensure that we start the trial of this case as soon as possible,” he said.
 
He said, “But if this is time-bound or if we are pressured about the time... then this trial may be hampered...That's why we are trying to start the trial as quickly as possible to ensure justice.”
 
“We (ICT) don't just want to be international in name, we also want to be international in meaning...And that's why we don't need video forensics in this law and we can get it from any source,” he said.
 
The ICT Prosecutor said, “We have come to you to get the raw video. So, from here you (journalists) can understand how much we are trying to maintain international standards in our work.”