Dhaka, Aug 26 (V7N) – The ninth day of testimony in the July Uprising crimes against humanity case against three accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, is being heard today at the International Crimes Tribunal-1. The tribunal is led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder.

On the eighth day of hearing (August 24), five witnesses testified, including Dr. Khair Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology, and Dr. Zakia Sultana Nila of the same hospital. They stated that 493 patients lost one eye during the movement, while 11 others lost both eyes and were rendered completely blind.

Another witness, the father of Shaheed Maruf from Rampura, described how his son was shot dead on July 19. While being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the ambulance was allegedly intercepted by law enforcement and Chhatra League activists. He testified that the victim was detained for 15–20 minutes, during which a policeman struck the bullet wound. Maruf later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Testimonies from earlier sessions include:

  • August 24 (7th day): Dr. Md. Rajibul Islam, Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine at Rangpur Medical College, and three others.

  • August 20 (6th day): Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Neurosciences; Senior Staff Nurse Shahnaz Parveen; Dr. Hasanul Banna of Ibn Sina Hospital; and Sonia Jamal, mother of Shaheed Sheikh Mehedi Hasan Junaid.

  • August 18 (5th day): Md. Enab Najez Zaki, father of Shaheed As-Sabur; Rabiul Awal, brother of Shaheed Imam Hasan Taim; and eyewitness Jasim Uddin of Rajshahi.

  • August 17 (4th day): Vegetable seller Abdus Samad, Mizan Mia, student Naeem Sikder, and Shaheed Sajjad Hossain Sajal’s mother, Shaheena Begum.

  • August 6 (3rd day): Eyewitnesses Rina Murmu and journalist AKM Moinul Haque.

  • August 4 (2nd day): Abdullah Al Imran, a paralyzed student, and Parveen, a day laborer who lost her eye.

  • August 3 (1st day): Khokon Chandra Barman, who was injured in the movement, testified after the prosecution’s opening statement.

So far, 24 witnesses have testified in the case. Several witnesses, including victims’ families and medical professionals, have demanded the maximum punishment for all accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

END/SMA/AJ