Witness claims helicopter fired on protesters during July uprising

The Daily Star reports on a significant development in a war crimes tribunal case, where a prosecution witness has provided harrowing testimony about alleged atrocities during the July 2024 uprising. Md Maruf Hossain, an assistant marketing manager, claims he witnessed gunfire from a RAB helicopter directly targeting student protesters in Aftabnagar.

Hossain's testimony paints a grim picture of the events, detailing how he and a colleague joined the protests, only to retreat when faced with gunfire from police and BGB. The witness recounted the tragic moment his colleague, Rakib, was shot and killed near Rampura Bridge while attempting to document the violence on his phone. This personal account adds a deeply human element to the ongoing trial, emphasizing the alleged brutality faced by civilians.

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I saw from the 13th floor of my office in Aftabnagar shots being fired from a Rab helicopter at protesting students around 3:00pm on July 18.

The case involves four former BGB and police officers accused of crimes against humanity for the killing of 28 people in Rampura on July 18-19, 2024. The testimony of witnesses like Maruf Hossain is crucial in establishing the facts and holding those responsible accountable. The inclusion of details about the helicopter fire and the death of Rakib suggests a pattern of excessive force and disregard for civilian lives, which is central to the prosecution's case. This testimony, if corroborated, could significantly impact the tribunal's findings and the pursuit of justice for the victims.

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At one point, Rakib tried to record the shooting on his phone while standing under a tree when he was shot in the abdomen and collapsed near Rampura Bridge.