Tribunal Begins Probe Into July Uprising Killings in Dhaka’s Jatrabari Area
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Grieving families and survivors of the July mass uprising gathered in Dhaka’s Jatrabari district on Sunday to testify before the International Crimes Tribunal, recounting harrowing details of the violence that claimed dozens of lives. The public hearing, presided over by Chief Prosecutor Md. Tajul Islam, served as a formal platform for victims to provide testimonies and evidence as the tribunal moves forward with investigations into the state-led crackdown.
Among those testifying was Abdur Rob, whose 29-year-old son, Miraj Hossain, was killed during the final days of the protests. Recalling the chaotic events of August 5, Rob described the scene in Jatrabari as apocalyptic, marked by the constant barrage of tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. He recounted that his son had joined ten friends to support the movement, only to be found later fatally wounded in a narrow alley near the Jatrabari police station. For many families present, the hearing was a painful reminder of the losses that have yet to see legal resolution.
Chief Prosecutor Md. Tajul Islam emphasized that the tribunal is treating the Jatrabari incidents with the highest level of priority. Officials have already compiled an initial list of approximately 85 individuals killed in the area during the unrest, though investigators expect that number to rise as the inquiry deepens. Addressing the families, Islam urged continued cooperation as the prosecution works to consolidate evidence.
To ensure an efficient and comprehensive judicial process, the tribunal plans to move away from individual case files, which prosecutors warn could lead to protracted litigation. Instead, the legal team is working to group killings by date—specifically citing events from July 16, 19, and 20—to build unified reports. By consolidating these incidents, the prosecution aims to streamline the trial process, allowing for multiple events and defendants to be addressed within single, coordinated proceedings.
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