Former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and two other cops have been sentenced to death for the killing of six people at city's Chankharpool during the July-August 2024 mass uprising.
In its verdict delivered Monday the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) also sentenced five other convicts to serve in prison in the case filed over "crimes against humanity".
The two other condemned convicts are former Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam.
In the same verdict, the tribunal handed down varying prison terms to five other former policemen.
Former Assistant Commissioner of the Ramna zone Mohammad Imrul was sentenced to six years in prison, while former Shahbagh Police Station Inspector (Operations) Arshad Hossain received a four-year term. Constables Sujon Hossain, Imaz Hossain and Nasirul Islam were each sentenced to three years in jail.
The three-member bench of the ICT-1, Dhaka, headed by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict. The two other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Hoque Anam Chowdhury.
Of the convicts, Arshad, Sujan, Imaz and Nasirul are currently in custody and the rest are absconding, according to the prosecution.
Four arrested accused were produced in the courtroom during announcement of the verdict.
This is the second verdict delivered on cases filed over crimes against humanity committed during the uprising that overthrew the Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier on October 17 last year, this tribunal delivered its first verdict sentencing the then Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and former Home Minister Asasuzzaman Khan Kamal to death and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun to five years in jail.
The families of the victims expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict.
Reacting on the tribunal premises, Sanjida Khan, mother of slain Shahriar Khan Anas, said justice had not been served by the verdict. She described the three-year prison sentence for the "murderer as grossly inadequate".
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said that they will appeal against the verdict as the tribunal has given inadequate sentences to the accused.
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