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prosecution and defence.

During the hearings, the prosecution pressed for the maximum penalty for all 30 accused, terming the killing a crime against humanity committed in the context of the mass uprising. The defence, meanwhile, sought acquittal, challenging both the evidence and the allegations against their clients.

Of the 30 accused, six are in custody while the rest -- including former Begum Rokeya University vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid and former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman -- remain absconding.

Those in jail are former university proctor Shariful Islam, assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Rasel, staffer Anwar Parvez, assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain, constable Sujan Chandra Roy, banned Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash, and two others. They were present in the dock yesterday.

On August 5, last year, the tribunal framed charges against all 30, detailing their alleged roles in aiding, inciting, or directly carrying out the shooting that killed Sayed, who was unarmed at the time.

The same year, the prosecution had submitted the formal charge on June 30, following the investigation agency’s probe report filed on June 24.

On August 27 last year, the trial began with the deposition of Sayed’s father, Mokbul Hossain, marking the third case over crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

After the deposition of the investigation officer -- the 25th prosecution witness -- and his cross-examination, the tribunal, led by Justice Md Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed January 20 this year for arguments.

Abu Sayed was shot dead on July 16, 2024, during a student protest in Rangpur against the quota system in government jobs.

A video showing him being shot by police with arms outstretched in defiance went viral, turning him into an icon of resistance.

His killing is widely seen as a turning point that galvanised the mass uprising, which culminated in the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5, 2024.