Wife of slain Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sanskritik Sangstha leader testifies before International Crimes Tribunal in extrajudicial killing case
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Aklima Begum, the widow of a political activist killed in an alleged extrajudicial encounter a decade ago, provided testimony on Sunday before the International Crimes Tribunal-2. Her statement serves as part of a case involving crimes against humanity linked to the deaths of two local political leaders in Barishal.
The case centers on the February 21, 2015, deaths of Tipu Hawlader, then-joint general secretary of the Agailjhara Upazila unit of Chhatra Dal, and Kabir Molla, organizing secretary of the local Jatiotabadi Samajik-Sanskritik Sangstha (JASAS). Aklima Begum, the wife of Kabir Molla, appeared as the 14th witness in the proceedings.
In her testimony, Begum recounted that she had been searching for her husband in Savar and Ashulia on February 20, 2015, but was unable to locate him. The following morning, she learned of his death through television news reports, which stated that both men had been killed in a crossfire incident.
Upon returning to their village home with her children and brother-in-law, Begum discovered her husband’s body in their courtyard. She testified that despite efforts by relatives to prevent her from viewing the remains, she observed two bullet wounds on his chest. She further alleged that the local police in Agailjhara were not responsible for the killing, attributing the act instead to two police officers from an adjacent station. She also noted that her family had been pressured to bury the body quickly and leave the area.
The legal proceedings involve four defendants. Among them are former Awami League Member of Parliament Abul Hasanat Abdullah and former Barishal Superintendent of Police AKM Ehsanullah, both of whom remain at large. Two other defendants, former Assistant Sub-Inspectors Mahabul Islam and Jasim Uddin, both formerly attached to the Wazirpur Police Station, are currently in custody.
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