Bangladesh crisis: Court sentences 3 cops to death for protest crackdown

A Bangladesh tribunal connected Monday sentenced Dhaka’s fugitive erstwhile constabulary main and 2 elder officers to decease for crimes against humanity implicit the sidesplitting of six protesters during the July 2024 wide uprising that led to the overthrow of past premier curate Sheikh Hasina.The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) handed the decease punishment to erstwhile Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, erstwhile associated commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakrabort and erstwhile further lawman commissioner (Ramna zone) Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam. All 3 were tried successful absentia and their whereabouts stay unknown, arsenic reported by Dhaka Tribune. The verdict comes up of Bangladesh’s February 12 elections, the archetypal polls since Hasina was ousted successful August 2024 pursuing weeks of wide protests.Five different erstwhile constabulary officials were sentenced to varying situation terms. Former adjunct commissioner of Ramna portion Mohammad Imrul was jailed for six years; erstwhile Shahbagh Police Station inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain received 4 years; portion constables Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaz Hossain Emon and Md Nasirul Islam were sentenced to 3 years each. Arshad, Sujan, Imaz and Nasirul are presently successful custody.

The lawsuit relates to the sidesplitting of six protesters successful Dhaka’s Chankharpul country connected August 5, 2024, the time Sheikh Hasina fled to India arsenic demonstrators stormed her authoritative residence. The verdict was delivered by a three-member seat of ICT-1 comprising Justice Mozumder, Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Hoque Anam Chowdhury.Reading retired the verdict, tribunal president Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder said that the grounds proved that constabulary opened occurrence with lethal weapons connected protesters.“The constabulary forces… opened occurrence with lethal weapons… causing decease to the aforesaid six persons,” the justice told the court.The tribunal heard that Habibur Rahman sent messages to constabulary units ordering them to usage lethal unit to crush the protests.Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said that helium was satisfied with the decease sentences but expressed disappointment implicit the situation presumption handed to the different 5 accused, according to the Dailystar. “The tribunal said their crimes person been proved and they committed crimes against humanity,” Islam told reporters, adding that helium would entreaty for harsher punishment for those fixed jailhouse terms.Families of the victims, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment. Sanjida Khan, the parent of slain protester Shahriar Khan Anas, broke down wrong the courtroom.“We tin ne'er beryllium satisfied with this verdict. We did not get Insaaf (justice),” she said, questioning the prosecution implicit the sentences.Similarly, Shahid Ahmed, uncle of different victim, Md Yakub, said the lighter sentences posed a threat.“We wanted decease condemnation for all. Instead, immoderate of them got 3 to 4 years’ imprisonment. After completing their terms, they volition travel retired and mightiness endanger us,” helium said.This is the 2nd verdict delivered by the tribunal implicit crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.In November past year, the aforesaid tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina and erstwhile location curate Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to decease successful absentia successful a abstracted case. Former constabulary main Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who confessed and turned authorities witness, was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment successful that case.The Chankharpul probe study was submitted connected April 21, 2025, the archetypal filed earlier the reconstituted tribunal with ceremonial charges framed connected July 14.After examining 26 witnesses implicit 23 moving days, the tribunal concluded that the constabulary firing was carried retired connected nonstop orders from elder officials, warranting the maximum punishment.