The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced ex-Awami League MP Muhammad Saiful Islam and five other accused to death in connection with a case over the burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July-August uprising.
The three-member bench of ICT-2 led by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam pronounced the judgment.
It asked the authorities concerned to confiscate the property of former MP of Dhaka-19 constituency Saiful Islam.
The five other condemned convicts are former Officer-in-Charge of Ashulia police station AFM Sayed alias Rony, former sub-inspector Abdul Malek, constables Mukul Chokdar, ex-assistant sub-inspector Biswajit Saha and Awami League leader Rony Bhuiyan.
The lifers are former DIG of Dhaka range Nurul Alam, former superintendent of police Asaduzzaman Ripon, former additional superintendent of Dhaka District Police Abdullahil Kafi, former additional superintendent of Dhaka District Police Shahidul Islam, former inspector Masudur Rahman, former inspector Nirmal Kumar Das and former DB inspector Arafat Hossain.
The tribunal also sentenced former sub-inspector Arafat Uddin and assistant sub-inspector Quamrul Hasan to seven years in jail.
The tribunal acquitted former sub-inspector Sheikh Abzalul Haque who turned approver during the trial.
Among 16 accused in the case, eight policemen were arrested in the case.
They are-former additional superintendent of Dhaka District Police Abdullahil Kafi, former additional superintendent of Dhaka District Police Shahidul Islam, DB inspector Arafat Hossain, sub-inspector Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, constables Mukul Chokdar and Kamrul Hasan and Sheikh Abzalul Haque.
On August 21,2024 , the tribunal framed charges against all 16 accused formally commencing the trial.
According to the case, six youths were shot dead by police at Ashulia on August 5,2024 after which their bodies were burned on a police van.
A video of the horrific scene was widely shared on social media, shaking the nation.
It helped the victims' families identify two of the victims.
The video shows several bodies lying on the back of a van while police officers are seen loading another body onto the vehicle.
Ashulia body burning case: ICT sets Feb 5 for delivering judgment
The bodies were covered with dirty clothes and banners found on the streets before being set on fire.
Investigators found that one of the victims was still alive when the fire was set, resulting in their death.
The case was filed with the tribunal on September 11, 2024.