SAD files ICT complaint against 25 businessmen

Students Against Discrimination (SAD) yesterday filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against 25 prominent business figures and around 200 unnamed businessmen, alleging their involvement in facilitating mass killings during the July 2024 uprising. 

A delegation of SAD leaders submitted the complaint to the office of the ICT chief prosecutor, seeking a formal investigation and legal action against those named.

Speaking to journalists at the ICT premises after lodging the complaint, SAD President Rifat Rashid said former adviser to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Salman F Rahman, was among the businessmen accused. He, however, declined to disclose the identities of the other individuals named in the complaint.

According to the complaint, the businessmen attended a meeting with Hasina on July 22, 2024, during the nationwide internet shutdown, under the leadership of Salman. At the meeting, they allegedly assured the then government of their support and pledged assistance in suppressing the student-led movement.

Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim confirmed receipt of the complaint. “The complaint names 25 individuals and around 200 unidentified persons. It includes photographs of the July 22 meeting, video statements made during the meeting, and reports published in several newspapers,” he said. 

Meanwhile, in a separate case, former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Chanchal Chandra Sarker, the sole accused currently in custody in a crimes against humanity case over two killings and two injuries during the July 2024 uprising in Rampura, yesterday claimed innocence before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, saying he was not even present at the scenes of the incidents.

Following his deposition, the prosecution completed his cross-examination. The tribunal fixed January 25 for hearing arguments. 

Other accused, including former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional deputy commissioner Rashedul Islam, then Rampura OC Mashiur Rahman, and former SI Tarikul, are.

Separately, ICT-2 yesterday recorded the cross-examination of the investigation officer in a case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed. In another crimes against humanity case, the ninth prosecution witness of the seizure list testified against former minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu.