No direct link in Abu Sayeed killing, police officer to face arrest in 2 other cases: ICT prosecution

The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal has initiated legal steps to show a police officer arrested in two separate cases, despite finding no direct involvement in the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed during the anti-discrimination movement in Rangpur.

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam disclosed the development to journalists yesterday.

"Newly released video footage analysis did not find direct involvement of the police officer in the Abu Sayeed killing, but evidence of his active participation in two separate incidents over the following two days has been found. For this reason, legal proceedings have begun to show him arrested in two new cases," he said. 

The officer, Assistant Commissioner Al Imran Hossain, was present at the scene during the incident. However, the chief prosecutor declined to comment on whether he is currently in the country or absconding, citing the confidentiality of the investigation.

A total of 30 individuals, including the former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, have been accused in the Abu Sayeed murder case. Six of them are currently in custody. Tribunal-2 has set 9 April for the verdict.

A recent investigative report by a private television channel published new CCTV footage from 16 July 2024, the day of the killing. The footage shows AC Imran Hossain, wearing a white helmet and holding a baton, standing opposite the location where Abu Sayeed was shot outside the university's main gate.

The channel confirmed his presence at the scene through mobile phone location data and metadata analysis, with verification from IT expert and prosecutor Tanvir Zoha.

Despite what the report described as a "hostile presence" at the scene, the prosecution did not include Imran as an accused in the murder case. Although initially listed as a witness, his testimony was ultimately not recorded by the tribunal.

In a statement given at Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on 3 September 2025, Imran admitted being present at the scene but claimed innocence.

Responding to questions over why he was made a witness instead of an accused, Aminul Islam said the case was already at its final stage when he assumed responsibility.

Addressing broader controversies surrounding the prosecution, he said, "We have formed a fact-finding committee, and all these issues will come up in the report. If we find that he could have been made an accused instead of a witness, we may address those aspects."