International Crimes Tribunal-2 delivers judgment in Abu Sayeed Killing Case, Two Police Officers Sentenced to Death
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) has delivered its verdict in the widely discussed killing of student activist Abu Sayeed, sentencing two police officers to death and handing prison terms to several others.
The judgment was issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which tried the case as a crime against humanity stemming from the 2024 mass student uprising.
Background of the Incident
Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur and a coordinator of the quota reform movement, was shot dead on July 16, 2024, during a protest against the government job quota system.
Video footage of the incident, showing him standing with arms outstretched moments before being shot, quickly went viral, turning him into a symbol of resistance and intensifying nationwide protests.
Investigations later found that police officers fired at him from close range using shotguns loaded with lethal pellets, causing fatal injuries.
Investigation and Charges
The victim’s family filed a formal complaint in early 2025, naming multiple individuals, including police officers and others allegedly involved in the sequence of events. An investigation report subsequently accused around 30 individuals, including members of law enforcement, of involvement in the killing.
Prosecutors argued that the murder was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violent repression during the student-led movement.
Verdict and Sentences
Following the trial, the tribunal sentenced two police officers to death for their direct role in the killing. Several other accused individuals received prison sentences of various terms for their involvement.
The ruling marks one of the most significant judicial outcomes linked to the July 2024 uprising, in which Abu Sayeed is regarded as the first martyr.
The killing of Abu Sayeed is considered a turning point in Bangladesh’s 2024 mass uprising, which eventually escalated into a nationwide movement and led to major political changes. The tribunal’s verdict is being seen as part of broader efforts to ensure accountability for alleged human rights violations committed during that period.