Brother's Body Unretrievable Due to Armed Awami League and Jubo League Presence, Witness Testifies
The elder brother of college student Foyjul Islam, who was allegedly shot and killed during the July 2024 uprising, testified that they were unable to retrieve his sibling's body from the hospital due to the armed presence of Awami League and Jubo League members. Mo. Rajib, the victim's elder brother, provided this testimony as the 28th witness in a case concerning crimes against humanity. He stated that his younger brother, Foyjul Islam, a 12th-grade student and part-time cosmetics store worker, had been participating in the anti-discrimination student movement since July 17, 2024. On July 19, after finishing work, Foyjul went home, and his mother last spoke to him around noon. Later that evening, an unknown woman informed Rajib that Foyjul had been shot and killed. His sister, Shanta, confirmed Foyjul's death at Azmol Hospital in Mirpur around 8 PM. Rajib's testimony details that armed individuals associated with the Awami League and Jubo League were positioned outside the hospital, preventing the retrieval of his brother's body. The body was eventually returned to their home in Keraniganj by an unknown person via ambulance late on July 19, showing a bullet wound on the right side of the chest. Rajib later learned through inquiries and social media that the killing was allegedly carried out by armed cadres under the direction of Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil. Rajib is seeking justice for his brother's murder. The case also names Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League leaders Parash and Nikhil, and Chhatra League leaders Saddam Hossain and Sheikh Wali Asif Inan as defendants, all of whom are currently absconding. Rajib's testimony concluded the witness examination in this case, with arguments set to begin on August 4.
This testimony highlights the critical role of political party-affiliated groups in potentially obstructing justice and access to deceased individuals during periods of civil unrest. The narrative suggests a breakdown in law and order where armed factions may exert control over public spaces, including hospitals, thereby impeding families from claiming their relatives' remains. Such actions can be interpreted as attempts to control information, prevent evidence collection, or exert intimidation. The legal process initiated aims to hold accountable individuals allegedly involved in orchestrating or executing such acts, underscoring the importance of robust judicial mechanisms to address alleged human rights violations and restore public trust in governance, particularly in the context of political transitions or heightened tensions.
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