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DHAKA, Nov 19, 2025 (BSS) - Former sub-inspector (SI) of Ashulia Police Station Sheikh Abzalul Haque today testified as the 23rd prosecution witness (PW) at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of seven youths and the subsequent burning of six of their bodies in Ashulia on August 5, 2024.

In his brief testimony, Abzalul said then officer-in-charge (OC) AFM Sayed and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Biswajit Saha poured petrol on the bodies of six protesters and set them on fire. The former SI added that he was not present at the scene during the burning; he learned about it only after returning to the police station on August 15, 2024, to deposit the firearm issued in his name.

"Around 4 pm (on August 5, 2024), a section of students and local residents approached the police station in a victory procession. At that time, acting on the direct orders of the OC, ASI Bishwajit and several police personnel brought in from another unit opened fire on them. A few protesters instantly collapsed to the ground, bleeding from gunshot wounds. Later, following the OC's instructions, several police members lifted the bodies onto a three-wheeler van and then transferred them to a police pickup van," he said.

Abzalul said the OC was later seen consulting with SI Abdul Malek and ASI Bishwajit. "When I moved closer to them, they stopped talking. It occurred to me that they were planning something else regarding the bodies. I felt nervous and decided it would not be safe for me to stay there any longer. I then went inside the station, took off my bulletproof jacket, tucked my pistol into the front of my trousers in plain clothes, and walked out of the station like an ordinary civilian," he added.

The accused-turned-approver said he was arrested in May this year. However, out of respect for the sacrifice of the martyrs and guided by his conscience, he applied to become an approver in the case without any provocation or inducement.

"My intention was to assist the tribunal by providing truthful information so that I could, in some way, repay my debt to the martyrs. I regret that I could not do anything for them at the time, and I sincerely apologise to the families of the martyrs and to the tribunal," he stated.

Following the end of his testimony, the defence began cross-examining him but could not conclude by the end of today's proceedings.

On August 21, the tribunal framed charges against 16 accused in the case. Of them, eight are in custody. Seven pleaded not guilty and demanded justice. SI Sheikh Abzalul Haque, however, pleaded guilty and sought permission to turn approver.

The seven who pleaded not guilty are former Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former ASP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, former DB Inspector Md Arafat Hossain, former sub-inspectors Abdul Malek and Arafat Uddin, former assistant SI Kamrul Hasan, and former constable Mukul Chokder.

"A total of 29 people were killed during the uprising in Savar. One person was killed on August 4 and six the next day. By killing the innocents, the accused committed one offence; by burning their bodies on August 5, they committed another," the prosecution said earlier.

On July 16, the tribunal ordered public notices in two national dailies summoning eight fugitive accused to surrender. It said that if they fail to do so, the trial will proceed in absentia.

Earlier on July 2, ICT-2 took cognizance of the formal charges, which accuse the defendants of shooting six youths on August 5, 2024-killing five instantly-and burning their bodies, along with another injured youth, allegedly in an attempt to destroy evidence. Arrest warrants were issued that day against eight fugitive suspects, including former lawmaker Muhammad Saiful Islam and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Nurul Islam.

The ICT investigation agency submitted its probe report on June 19.

According to the prosecution, police placed the victims' bodies in a van and set it ablaze to make it appear as though protesters had torched it. One victim was reportedly still alive when the fire was set.