On Sunday, a court in Bangladesh upheld the death sentences for 20 former university students who were convicted of killing Abrar Fahad, a 21-year-old at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), in 2019.
The violent attack followed Fahad’s Facebook post criticizing the government. This ruling represents a significant step toward achieving justice.
Bangladesh high court gives death sentences to 20 students, life terms to five others for the 2019 killing of student Abrar Fahad at BUET university. pic.twitter.com/eTP4eqre5k
— The Sudan Times (@thesudantimes) March 16, 2025Fahad’s post criticized then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s water-sharing deal with India. Just hours later, he was attacked by 25 students from the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a group affiliated with Hasina’s Awami League. They beat Fahad with cricket bats for nearly six hours. The assault shocked the entire nation.
Fahad’s father, Barkat Ullah, welcomed the decision, stating, “I’m satisfied. I hope justice comes soon.” The Chhatra League, which had previously instilled fear on campuses, saw a shift in power after Prime Minister Hasina was ousted last year following a student uprising. Now, the Bangladesh student murder case is approaching a resolution.
