DMP’s Habibur ordered to shoot protesters

Staff Reporter :

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Tuesday (23 September) heard an audio clip in which former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman allegedly instructed officers to open fire on protesters during last year’s July–August movement.

The testimony came from ASI Kamrul Hasan, who was serving as a wireless operator at the DMP’s Crime Command and Control Centre during the uprising.

Appearing as the tribunal’s 50th prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and others, Kamrul played the recording before the court.

In the audio, Habibur can be heard saying:
“I have repeatedly said, instructed, given you freedom to act as the situation dictates… You will take a kneeling position and shoot below the waist to control the situation.”
Kamrul testified that the order was given despite there being no immediate threat in Dhaka at the time. He added that officers were instructed to use “maximum force” to safeguard lives, property, offices, and courts.

The tribunal also heard additional testimony from witnesses Md Kamrul Hossain and Anisur Rahman, alongside earlier depositions, including that of Sabrina Afroz Sebonti, sister of slain student activist Mahamudur Rahman Saikat.

With the prosecution’s testimony on the incident now complete, defence lawyers cross-examined the witnesses. The tribunal is expected to move toward arguments and eventually deliver its verdict.

Meanwhile, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, another accused in the case who has turned state witness, was present in court as the testimonies were delivered.

The case, described by prosecutors as a landmark trial, centers on allegations of state-ordered atrocities against protesters during the 2024 student-led movement.