Four arrested accused, including two convicts sentenced to death for crimes against humanity in connection with the killing of Abu Sayed – the first martyr of the July Mass Uprising and a student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur – have filed appeals seeking acquittal. 

The appeals were filed with the relevant branch of the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Speaking to Daily Waadaa, counsel for the appellants Azizur Rahman Dulu said, “We have filed appeals seeking acquittal for four individuals, including former Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Amir Hossain and former Constable Sujan Chandra Roy, who were sentenced to death. We hope the appeal hearing will be held in accordance with the rules of the Appellate Division.” 

He said the allegations against the death-row convicts had not been properly proven and that justice had been denied in the tribunal's verdict. 

“We hope the defence will receive justice in the Appellate Division.”

Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam told Waadaa: “Abu Sayed was a victim of a brutal killing. Of the 30 accused in the murder case, seven have been arrested. If the arrested accused appeal against the verdict, hearings will be held on behalf of the state. We hope the sentences of the accused will be upheld.”

Earlier, on April 9, the verdict was delivered by a three-member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2. The other two members of the bench were Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. 

However, the full verdict was published on June 16.

The verdict sentenced former ASI of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy to death.

Three people were sentenced to life imprisonment. They are former Assistant Police Commissioner (Kotwali Zone) Arifuzzaman alias Jibon, former Officer-in-Charge of Tajhat Police Station Robiul Islam alias Nayan, and former BRUR Camp In-Charge Bibhutibhushan Roy alias Madhab. 

In addition, 25 accused were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

Seven people have been arrested in the case.

They inlcude the former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Md Hasibur Rashid who was arrested from the capital on 16 May this year.

The formal trial in the case began on August 27, 2025 with the prosecution's opening statement.