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The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) has fixed today (Wednesday) for hearing arguments from state-appointed defence lawyers on charge framing in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July-August 2024 Uprising.
The three-member Tribunal-2, headed by its Chairman Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, issued the order on Tuesday.
During the day's proceedings, defence lawyers representing three of the accused sought their clients' acquittal, arguing that they were not present at the scene during the killing of Abu Sayed.
Advocate Aminul Gani Titto, Advocate Azizur Rahman, and others appeared on behalf of former BRUR Proctor Shariful Islam, banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash, and police constable Sujan Chandra Roy.
Earlier, on July 22, the tribunal appointed six state defence counsels to represent 24 fugitive accused to facilitate trial in absentia.
On June 30, the prosecution submitted formal charges against 30 individuals, including former BRU VC Prof Dr Md Hasibur Rashid.
Following a hearing, the tribunal took the charges into cognizance and issued arrest warrants against 24 of the accused, including the former VC, as they remain absconding.
Abu Sayed was shot dead by police on July 16, 2024 during a student protest in Rangpur, which was part of a nationwide movement against the government's controversial job quota system.
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