The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced two police officers to death for the killing of student icon Abu Sayeed during the July 2024 mass uprising. ASI Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy were handed the capital punishment for firing at an unarmed Sayeed, who stood with open arms before the police on July 16, 2024, at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.

The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, also sentenced three other police officials to life imprisonment. In a significant move, the then Vice-Chancellor of Rokeya University, Hasibur Rashid, and the then Police Commissioner Moniruzzaman were sentenced to 10 years in prison for their roles in the crackdown. Additionally, several Chhatra League leaders and university officials received jail terms ranging from 3 to 10 years.

Abu Sayeed’s murder is widely regarded as the ‘turning point’ that ignited the nationwide movement, eventually leading to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2025. This verdict, broadcast live on state television BTV, marks the first major conviction in the human rights violation cases related to the July revolution. Following the announcement, celebratory crowds gathered, demanding the swift arrest of the 24 fugitive convicts.