Tension arose at the International Crimes Tribunal during the cross-examination of prosecution witness SI Sheikh Abjalul Haque in the case filed over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising. A dispute between prosecution and state defense lawyers over a specific question led to nearly an hour of heated arguments.
The incident took place on Thursday (20 November) around 11:30 a.m. before a two-member bench of Tribunal-2, led by retired district and sessions judge Md. Manjurul Baschid.
Earlier, around 10:30 a.m., the cross-examination of witness Abjalul began in the case against 16 accused, including former MP Saiful Islam. During the cross-examination, defense lawyer Mizanur Rahman asked whether any police officer from the station had been killed on 5 August last year. The witness replied that although no one from the station died, an officer from another unit had been killed, and he was involved in the investigation but could not complete it.
Prosecution lawyers immediately objected, saying the question was irrelevant. This led to prolonged arguments between prosecution and defense. The situation later calmed following the tribunal’s intervention.
The case names 16 accused, including former MP Saiful Islam. After Abjalul’s cross-examination, testimonies from two to three more witnesses are expected. The case will then proceed to the argument stage. Testimony is expected to conclude by mid-next month.
On 15 September, the first day of testimony, the witnesses included Rezwanul Islam, brother of martyr As Sabur, and Khalilur Rahman, father of martyr Sajjad Hossain Sajal. Earlier, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam delivered the opening statement, detailing the brutal killings that took place in Ashulia on 5 August last year.
On 2 July, the prosecution submitted formal charges along with 313 pages of documents, a list of 62 witnesses, 168 pages of evidence, and two pen drives. The tribunal later took the charges into cognizance.
Among the eight arrested are former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime & Ops) Md. Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP Shahidul Islam, Inspector Arafat Hossain, SI Malek, SI Arafat Uddin, ASI Kamrul Hasan, Abjal, and Constable Mukul. However, former MP Saiful Islam and seven others remain fugitives.
On 5 August last year, six young men were shot dead by police in Ashulia. Their bodies were later placed in a van and burned. One victim was found alive but was also killed by pouring petrol and setting him on fire. A case was filed with the International Crimes Tribunal on 11 September, accusing the perpetrators of crimes against humanity.
