‘A bullet struck just above my ankle’: Al Amin testifies against Shamim Osman

A victim of the July uprising testified before the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday that he was shot in the leg when former Narayanganj lawmaker Shamim Osman and an armed group allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on protesters in July 2024.

Md Al Amin, listed as a Category-B July fighter, gave his deposition before International Crimes Tribunal-1 in the crimes-against-humanity case against Shamim and 11 others.

“A bullet they fired struck me just above my left ankle,” Al Amin told the tribunal while recounting the events of July 19, 2024.

He said he had joined protesters under Jalkuri Bridge after Jummah prayers that day.

At around 2:30pm to 3pm, police and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel began chasing the protesters, according to his testimony.

“Then, between 3pm and 4pm, Shamim Osman, Ayon Osman, Azmeri Osman, Titu, journalist Raju and Dish Babu, along with Chhatra League cadres, came at us and opened indiscriminate fire,” Al Amin testified.

He later showed the tribunal a deep scar on his leg and said he still had difficulty walking.

“My leg is still not well,” he said. “Four to five people were killed and 12 to 15 others were injured in Jalkuri that day.”

“I want exemplary punishment and justice from the court for those who shot me and left me disabled for life.”

The prosecution alleges that Shamim took up arms and was directly involved in planning and carrying out attacks to suppress the July-August mass uprising in Narayanganj.

According to the prosecution, Shamim acted with the permission of then Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and mobilised his own armed group alongside other accused.

Shamim’s son Ayon Osman and nephew Azmeri Osman are among those accused, alongside leaders and activists of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League.

All 12 accused are currently absconding.

The case centres on three charges of crimes against humanity involving killings in Narayanganj during the uprising.

The first concerns the killing of six people, including teenager Adil, Yasin, student Parvez, garment worker Russell and six-year-old Riya Gop, in Chashara, Signboard and surrounding areas on July 19, 2024.

The second relates to the killings of Abdur Rahman and Mohammad Rakib in front of Bhuigarh bus stand in Fatullah on July 21.

The third concerns the killings of Badiuzzaman and Abul Hasan on August 5.

Al Amin also testified about his struggle to receive medical treatment after being shot.

He said fellow protesters first took him to a hospital in Pagla and then to New Safa Orthopaedics Hospital in Khanpur, but the facilities declined to treat him because of fear of law enforcement agencies.

He was subsequently taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he said he remained without treatment for nearly eight hours after Maghrib.

He was later taken to BNK Hospital in Malibagh and underwent surgery on his leg. Because of security concerns, however, hospital authorities advised that he be taken home quickly.

Around six weeks later, after his condition deteriorated severely, Al Amin was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital.

He said he underwent treatment there for two to three months before returning home.

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