Tribunal begins trial of 26 accused over Mugdho and the killings of 10 others

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The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the trial of 26 people, including former Dhaka-18 MP Mohammad Habib Hasan, over the alleged killing of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho and 10 others in Dhaka’s Uttara during the July Uprising.

A three-member tribunal led by Chairman Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury formally framed charges against the accused on Sunday and directed that the trial proceed. The court scheduled November 4 for the prosecution’s opening statement and the beginning of witness testimony.

Eight detained accused were produced before the tribunal, where the chairman read out two charges. All eight denied the allegations and pleaded for justice. The remaining 18 accused are absconding.

The detained suspects include former Uttara Division additional deputy commissioner Mirza Salahuddin, former Uttara East Police Station chief Md Mojibur Rahman, former police constable Md Hossain Ali, Awami League leader Monowar Islam Chowdhury Robin, Jubo League leader Md Delwar Hossain Rubel, Awami League leader Md Sohel Rana, Swechchhasebak League leader Md Shah Alam and Awami League activist Md Irfanul Haque Gazi.

Those at large include former MP Habib Hasan, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, several former police officials and members of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League.

The first charge concerns alleged indiscriminate firing on July 18, 2024, against participants in the student-led Anti-Discrimination Movement along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and surrounding areas of Uttara.

According to the prosecution, Mugdho, an MBA student at Bangladesh University of Professionals, was shot dead in Uttara’s Sector 3 while distributing water and biscuits to protesters and helping transport injured people to hospitals. Five other people—Jahiduzzaman Tanvin, Sheikh Fahmin Zafar, Md Shakil Hossain, Md Sabbir Hossain and Sajib Sarker—were also allegedly killed by gunfire that day.

The prosecution further alleges that Uber driver Mokhlesur Rahman, known as Durjoy, was crushed beneath a police armoured personnel carrier before his body was thrown into the Turag River to conceal the crime. Five other people, including Mehedi Hasan, were allegedly shot and seriously injured.

The second charge relates to alleged indiscriminate firing on protesters in the same area on July 19. The prosecution says Ridwan Sharif, also known as Riyad Joy, Md Sabbir Islam, Md Asadullah and Naima Sultana were killed, while Raisul Rahman Ratul was seriously injured by gunfire.

The prosecution has characterised the alleged acts across both days as crimes against humanity, claiming they were committed as part of a planned, widespread and systematic attack.

The tribunal panel also includes Justices Md Manjurul Bachid and Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Prosecutors and defence lawyers, including state-appointed counsel, attended Sunday’s hearing.