Testimony of Dr. Mostafa Ahmed

My name is Dr. Mostafa Ahmed. My approximate age is 45. Currently, I am serving as the Resident Surgeon in the Casualty Department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. I have been in this position since December 2024. Prior to that, I was working as a Medical Officer in this department since 2016.

On July 14, 2024, at a press conference, Sheikh Hasina addressed the members of the anti-discrimination student movement, stating, “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don’t get quotas, then who will? The children and grandchildren of Razakars?” Subsequently, on July 16, when Abu Saeed of Rangpur was killed by gunfire, the movement gained momentum.

On July 19, 20, and 21, and again on August 4 and 5, I provided treatment to a large number of patients with bullet injuries. Due to my employment in the Casualty Department, I have previously treated bullet-injured patients. The direction of most bullet injuries in the injured patients was from top to bottom. Generally, the direction of bullets is from bottom to top or parallel. The patients informed me that they were shot from an elevated position or from a helicopter. In some cases, bullets entered the head and exited through the back.

I witnessed an incident where a father and son were admitted to the hospital with bullet injuries. The father died in the hospital. The son lamented, “I could not save my father.”

Most of the bullet-injured victims were between 20 and 30 years of age.

The witness further stated that during the movement, when patient-carrying ambulances arrived through the gate adjacent to Shahidullah Hall, Chhatra League members would stop the vehicles, inquire about the patients’ identities, and if they identified as students, would obstruct their entry into the hospital.

During the period of providing treatment, all Chhatra League workers entered the hospital and inquired about the injured individuals. At that time, the bullet-injured students requested us to conceal their identities. Certain government-backed doctors in the hospital cautioned us against being overly enthusiastic in treating bullet-injured patients, stating that “those who are terrorists cannot be treated.” On July 25, five doctors among us were transferred elsewhere due to providing treatment.

These shootings were intended to obstruct the injured bullet victims. I demand the trial and punishment of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, and all individuals involved in directing these operations, for this brutality against the bullet-injured.

The investigating officer questioned me. This is my statement.

Cross-examination

It is not true that Sheikh Hasina did not make the statement about ‘children and grandchildren of Razakars’ to the protestors.

It is not true that, that they were shot from an elevated position or a helicopter. It is not true that in some patients, bullets entered the head and exited through the back.

It is not true that Chhatra League did not obstruct access from the gate adjacent to Shahidullah Hall.

It is not true that, that all Chhatra League workers went to the hospital to inquire about the students.

It is not true that, that treatment for students was obstructed.

It is not true that the five individuals who were transferred were transferred according to regulations

It is not true that I did not hold Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun responsible by informing the investigating officer.

It is not true that Hasina and Kamal were not involved in any crime.

No, I am not involved as a member of any organization.

It is not true that I gave false testimony against Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal because I am of a different ideology than Sheikh Hasina.