Father recounts fatal shooting of son Jabir
A father testified before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday, recounting the day his six-year-old son was fatally shot amidst celebrations following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024. Kabir Hossain, the boy's father, stated in his deposition that his son, Jabir Ibrahim, died on August 5, 2024, after being hit by a bullet while participating in a victory procession in Dhaka's Uttara area, upon learning of the government's collapse.
Hossain appeared as the sixth witness in a case accusing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and former state minister for ICT, Junaid Ahmed Palak, of crimes against humanity during the "July Uprising" that led to the government's downfall. Joy is reported to be at large, while Palak was present at the tribunal for Monday's proceedings.
In his testimony, Hossain blamed Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former minister Palak, and the entire cabinet of the ousted Awami League government for his son's death, demanding the highest punishment for those responsible.
Hossain detailed the events of August 5, 2024, describing how he, his wife, two sons, and a nephew joined a celebratory procession around 2 p.m. in Uttara after hearing that Sheikh Hasina had fled the country. He took his sons and nephew to a construction site of a pedestrian overpass opposite Uttara School, while his wife remained on the ground. They were taking pictures and recording videos when, around 4:30 p.m., a group of 15-20 individuals, clad in helmets and vests, advanced towards them from the direction of Uttara East Police Station, firing shots and throwing sound grenades. Amidst the ensuing panic, Hossain rushed his sons and nephew down from the overpass.
As Hossain ran towards their home with his son Jabir by the hand, he heard the child cry out near the entrance of the APBN headquarters. He saw that his son had been shot in the thigh and was bleeding profusely. He then placed his wounded son on a motorcycle and, after visiting two hospitals, they arrived at Dhaka Specialized Hospital in Uttara, where doctors pronounced Jabir dead.
