The prosecution on Monday began its closing arguments before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in the crimes against humanity case against 11 accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, recalling the brutality that led to the death of Imam Hasan Taim.

The first day of arguments concluded amid an emotionally charged atmosphere in the courtroom.

The three-member panel of ICT-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, scheduled October 25 for the next hearing. The other members of the panel are judges Md Manzurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

As prosecutor Mizanul Islam described how Taim’s life was cut short by police brutality, grief enveloped the courtroom.

During the proceedings, the tribunal was shown a chilling video that had been played on a mobile phone for then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. In the footage, former Wari division deputy commissioner of police Iqbal Hossain is heard saying, “One dies in one shot, the rest remain.”

Recalling the night of July 20, 2024, the prosecution said police officers, acting on the instructions of Habibur and Sudip Kumar Chakrabarty, fired at Taim from close range, riddling his body with bullets.

When another young man, Rahat, rushed forward to save his friend, he too came under fire.

The prosecution also recounted the tragedy of Taim’s father, Md Moynal Hossain Bhuiyan, a police officer who served as a sub-inspector at Rajarbagh Police Lines. His son was killed by bullets fired by fellow police officers.

Of the 11 accused in the case, former Jatrabari police station officer-in-charge Abul Hasan and sub-inspector Shahadat Ali were brought to the dock on Monday. The other nine, including Habibur, Sudip and Iqbal, whom the prosecution identified as key instigators, remain fugitives and have yet to face trial.

The prosecution accused the fugitives of going into hiding after unleashing violence and bloodshed on the streets.

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