International Crimes Tribunal-2 Delivers Verdict in Ashulia Crimes Against Humanity Case
In a landmark judgment on 5 February 2026, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) handed down its verdict in the high-profile Ashulia crimes against humanity case, relating to the killing of seven youths and the burning of six bodies during the July-August 2024 mass uprising in Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka.
The pronouncement of the judgment was broadcast live on the national television BTV and also on online streams.
A three-member tribunal bench led by Chairman Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, delivered the judgment following trial and hearings that began after formal charges were framed in August 2025.
The court sentenced six individuals to death, including former Dhaka-19 lawmaker Md Saiful Islam and key accused such as AFM Sayed, Abdul Malek, Bishwajit Saha, Mukul Chokder, and Jubo League activist Roni Bhuiyan. Seven others received life imprisonment, and two more were sentenced to seven years, while one accused who turned state witness was pardoned.
The prosecution was represented by a dedicated legal team that pursued justice in this serious crimes against humanity case. The state’s case was led and presented by Md. Mizanul Islam, Agdus Sobhan Tarafdar, Gazi MH Tamim, Faruque Ahmed, and Barrister Shyikh Mahdi, who argued the evidence, examined witnesses, and made final submissions before the tribunal. Their efforts were central to establishing the facts of the killing and subsequent burning of victims’ bodies, and securing convictions under the relevant provisions of international criminal law.
The case centered on events of 5 August 2024, when police officers allegedly shot multiple youths during nationwide protests and later placed six bodies in a police van and set them on fire. Prosecutors argued this was done to conceal evidence of wrongdoing.
Tribunal proceedings unfolded over several months, with the prosecution submitting extensive documentation and witness testimony. The tribunal formally framed charges against 16 accused on 21 August 2025 and reserved judgment after final arguments concluded in January 2026.
This judgment marks one of the first major crimes against humanity verdicts delivered by ICT-2 since its reconstitution, reaffirming the tribunal’s role in addressing serious violations amid Bangladesh’s broader political and judicial developments.
Relevant news reports in this case are as follows :
Dhaka Tribune: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/court/402569/ict-judgment-in-ashulia-crimes-against-humanity
The Business Standard: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/court/ashulia-body-burning-case-16-accuseds-fate-be-decided-ict-2-set-deliver-verdict
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha: https://www.bssnews.net/law-and-court/357939
The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/six-hang-ashulia-killings-during-july-uprising-4099366