The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has taken cognizance of formal charges in the case filed over the murder of Abu Sayed, a student at Begum Rokeya University, during the anti-discrimination student movement in Rangpur.

The tribunal has also issued arrest warrants against 26 fugitive accused in connection with the case. Additionally, four individuals already in custody have been shown arrested in the same case.

The tribunal directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest the accused and produce them before the court on the next scheduled date.

Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2, passed the order following a hearing.

Earlier in the day, the prosecution submitted the formal charges to the tribunal’s registrar office. The investigation agency had submitted its report on June 26.

The case, filed as a crime against humanity during the student movement, names 30 individuals as accused. Among them are former Begum Rokeya University proctor Shariful Islam, former police ASI Amir Hossain, ex-constable Sujan Chandra Roy, and Imran Chowdhury, a leader of the now-banned student organization Chhatra League. The names of the remaining accused have not yet been disclosed.

Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of the university’s English Department, was killed during the anti-discrimination movement on July 16.