Testifying at the International Crimes Tribunal today (12 October), she repeatedly broke down in tears and demanded justice for her son’s killing.
TBS Report
12 October, 2026, 08:50 pm
Last modified: 12 October, 2026, 08:53 pm
Taslima Akter rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after learning that her son, Mohammad Ismail, 30, had been shot in Mohammadpur during the July 2024 uprising. Unable to find him in the emergency department, she eventually identified him by his clothes among 300-400 bodies piled on top of one another in the morgue.
Testifying at the International Crimes Tribunal today (12 October), she repeatedly broke down in tears and demanded justice for her son's killing.
Taslima was the 10th prosecution witness in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of nine people in Mohammadpur during the uprising. Her deposition was recorded by a single-member bench of Tribunal-1, comprising Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Prosecutor Tarek Abdullah represented the prosecution. The 28 accused include former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
Taslima said Ismail left home at 3pm on 19 July 2024 to join protests near Allah Karim Mosque. At 7:30pm, his friend Monir called, saying he had seen Ismail and urged him to return home. Later, another friend, Kalu, told Taslima's sister Akleema that Ismail had been shot and was being taken to hospital.
Taslima, her mother and sister travelled from Dhaka Udyan by rickshaw. She alleged that Commissioner Asif, Commissioner Rajib, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Biplob were armed, and said someone was shot dead in front of her.
At Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a doctor showed her photographs on a mobile phone, through which she identified Ismail, who had been shot in the head. Authorities withheld his body until the relevant police officer arrived. Sub-Inspector Saiful of Mohammadpur police station came at 11am the next day, and Taslima received the body at 7pm.
She said hospital staff obtained her signature after telling her she would not file a case. Ismail was bathed at Chhata Mosque, given a funeral prayer and buried at Azimpur Cemetery.
Taslima blamed Sheikh Hasina, Taposh, Nanak and several others, including local commissioners and individuals named Biplob, Biplob Kumar, Saikat, Sajjad Palash, Sattar, Mohammad Ismail, Rashtan and Rowshan.
Four accused are in jail: banned Chhatra League's Mohammadpur unit president Naimul Hasan Russell, vice-president Sajjad Hossain, Ansar member Omar Faruk and Jubo League activist Fazle Rabbi. The others are absconding.