Ashulia Massacre Verdict Scheduled for February

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) has announced that the verdict in the high-profile Ashulia mass killing case will be delivered on 5 February. The case relates to the deaths of six individuals during the mass protests that erupted in Ashulia in July 2024.

A three-member judicial bench will preside over the proceedings, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. He will be joined by Justice Md. Monjurul Bashid and Justice Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The prosecution team is headed by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, supported by prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi M.H. Tamim, B.M. Sultan Mahmud, Faruk Ahmed, and Abdus Sattar Palwan. The accused are represented by four state-appointed lawyers, led by Amir Hossain.

Eight of the accused have already been apprehended. Among them are former Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) Abdullahil Kafi and Md. Shahidul Islam, former Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Md. Arafat Hossain, Ashulia Police Sub-Inspector Abdul Malek, and four civilians—Arafat Uddin, Komrul Hasan, Sheikh Abzalul Haque, and former constable Mukul Chokdar.

Sheikh Abzalul Haque has publicly sought forgiveness from the victims’ families and will appear as a witness for the prosecution. Meanwhile, seven others, including former Member of Parliament Mohammad Saiful Islam, remain at large.

At the outset of the trial, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam described the horrific events of 5 August 2024, when six protestors were shot and their bodies placed in a van and set on fire. One survivor at the scene highlighted the brutality of the attack, underscoring the inhumanity of the incident.

ICT-2 authorities have confirmed that on the day of the verdict, all evidence, witness testimonies, and submitted documents will be formally presented in court, playing a pivotal role in the final judgment.

A summary of the accused, their positions, and current status is provided below:

The tribunal’s verdict is widely anticipated, marking a significant moment in Bangladesh’s pursuit of justice for crimes against humanity.