Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said that five witnesses have already testified in this case. Today, the prosecution will present four additional witnesses before the Tribunal.

Testimony of Abdus Samad

My name is Abdus Samad. My current age is approximately 24 years. My permanent address is: Village – Thana – District. My present address is: XXX.

I sell vegetables using a van. I am a July Movement protester.

On Friday, 19 July 2024, after the Jummah prayer, I joined the protest with my friends in front of Azampur BNS Center, Uttara. When the police started firing at us, we all began to flee. The police chased us and continued shooting. A bullet struck the back of my head. I fell to the ground, after which fellow protesters took me to a nearby small hospital. From there, I was referred to Uttara Modern Medical (known as Bangladesh Medical).

After being taken there, at around 8:00 pm, I lost consciousness. From there I was shifted to Dhaka Medical Hospital, where I remained admitted for five days. However, I was not receiving proper treatment. I was discharged and sent home. At home, I could not walk properly and my vision was blurred, especially for distant objects. I stayed at home for 4–5 days, during which I suffered from chills and fever at night.

Later, I was readmitted to Dhaka Medical Hospital, where I was given saline and injections. A doctor informed me that there was a small bullet lodged in my head, but that surgery was not required and it would heal with medication. After about 10 days, I was discharged.

Then, I went to my ancestral home in Haluaghat, Mymensingh district. While staying there for 5–6 days, I felt constant tingling on the left side of my body. After 5 August, I returned to Dhaka. With the help of the employer of the household where my mother used to work, I was admitted to Ibn Sinha Hospital, Kallyanpur, Dhaka. From there, I was transferred to the Ibn Sinha (Shankar) unit, where I underwent surgery. The operation successfully removed a long bullet from the back of my head. The extracted bullet was handed over to me. (Object Exhibit – III). After being hospitalized for about one and a half months, I recovered and returned home.

I hold Sheikh Hasina, the Home Minister, and the Inspector General of Police responsible, as it was under their orders that the police fired on us. I have seen and heard this reported and discussed in various media outlets, including BBC and Al Jazeera.

The investigating officer has interrogated me. This is my testimony.

Prosecution (Gazi Tamim): The size of the bullet made me think that the number of martyrs could have increased by 1 more.

Cross-Examination 

Question: Since you were shot from behind, did you actually see who fired the bullet at you?
Answer: As the shot came from behind, I did not see who fired it. However, since the police were chasing us, I am stating that it was the police who shot me.

Question: Did you take any legal steps against Uttara Modern Medical or Dhaka Medical College Hospital for failing to treat you properly?
Answer: No, I did not take any legal action against them, although those doctors did act unjustly towards me.

Question: At the time of your surgery, were you conscious and did you personally see the bullet being removed from your head?
Answer: I was operated on under anesthesia. At that time, I did not see the rubber bullet being removed from my head; I only saw it after regaining consciousness.

Question: Were there any of your family members or acquaintances present during the operation?
Answer: No, none of my relatives or acquaintances were there. Only three to four doctors were present, one of whom was named Musanna Ashfaq. I cannot recall the names of the others.

Question: The bullet you presented before the Tribunal today—is it the same bullet that was removed from your head?
Answer: It is not true that the bullet I presented in the Tribunal today is not the one that was removed from my head.

Question: What is your educational background, and do you have any political affiliation?
Answer: I studied up to class seven. I have never been involved with any political party, and I am still not involved with any.

Question: Is it true that you demand punishment for the accused out of personal dislike for them?
Answer: That is not true. I am not seeking their punishment out of personal dislike.

Question: Did you tell the investigating officer that you had heard about this incident from BBC and other media?
Answer: No, I did not tell the investigating officer anything about BBC or other media.

Question: Is it correct that you have given false testimony against the accused?
Answer: That is not true.

Question: Is it true that you made false allegations against Sheikh Hasina and the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan?
Answer: That is not true.