Witness testimony describes student death during July uprising at International Crimes Tribunal

A witness testified before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday, detailing the final moments of student Farhan Faiyaz during the July mass uprising in Bangladesh. The witness, Syed Hossain, a first-year Computer Science and Engineering student at the University of Scholars, recounted helping the mortally wounded student into a rickshaw.

Hossain stated that as he lifted Faiyaz, the student took a deep breath and likely died at that moment. The testimony was provided during proceedings against 28 individuals, including former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, who are accused of crimes against humanity in the Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur areas of the capital.

Providing a chronology of the events, Hossain explained that he and other students gathered in front of Rapa Plaza at Dhanmondi Road 27 on the morning of July 18, 2024, following discussions in a group chat. According to the witness, the protest remained peaceful until approximately 12:30 p.m., when police and members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League allegedly opened fire on the demonstrators.

Hossain testified that around 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., he observed a young man collapse in front of him. After moving the victim to a nearby alley, Hossain loaded him into a rickshaw and subsequently transferred him to an ambulance with the assistance of other protesters. It was only after returning home that evening and monitoring social media that he identified the victim as Farhan Faiyaz. He later learned from Faiyaz’s father that the student had sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest.

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Hossain further stated that based on information circulating in the media and on social platforms, the killings—including that of Faiyaz—were carried out under the direct orders of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Nanak, and Tapas. He concluded his testimony by calling for justice for all those involved in the deaths.

The case involves a total of 28 defendants. Four individuals currently in custody include former Ansar member Mohammad Omar Faruk, Mohammadpur Thana Chhatra League President Naimul Hasan Russell, former Mohammadpur Thana Chhatra League Vice President Sazzad Hossain, and Jubo League activist K.M. Fazle Rabbi.

The remaining 24 defendants, including Nanak and Tapas, remain at large. The list of fugitives also includes former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Police Headquarters Additional DIG Pralay Kumar Joardar, former DMP Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar, and former Mohammadpur area Additional Deputy Commissioner Roushanul Haque Saikat.