Friends of Limon-Brisrty appear in court, demand justice

Friends and classmates of Zamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Bristy, the two Bangladeshi PhD students killed in Florida, appeared at a court hearing on Tuesday where the suspect was ordered held without bond.

Hisham Abugharbieh, the 26-year-old roommate of Limon, faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon as well as other charges including tampering with evidence and failure to report a death. Judge J Logan Murphy ordered him to remain in jail without bond and prohibited him from contacting any witnesses or the victims' relatives.

Dozens of friends packed the Tampa courtroom to witness the legal process and demand justice on behalf of the victims' families still in Bangladesh.

Abir al Hasib Shourav, a friend of the victims, said, "What you need to understand is that we Bangladeshi people, we live as a family here. We share meals, we go out sightseeing, we live together." He added that their goal is to bring the accused to justice.

Salman Sadiq Shuvo, another friend who attended the hearing, said, "We want to know what happens with our friends. We feel ourselves responsible... we want to tell them the experience we are seeing, observing here."

Rifatul Islam said, "When we come here, back from 8,000 miles away from home, they are our family, our everything here. The place that is our safe place — our home, our own rooms — they were murdered there. There are no words for that."

State Attorney Suzy Lopez, who noticed the strong presence of friends, said, "It's so wonderful to know that other students' friends are embracing the two people that they've lost and want to be part of this process to get justice for them."

Limon and Bristy, both 27, disappeared on April 16. Limon's body was found Friday on the Howard Frankland Bridge with multiple stab wounds. Human remains found in a waterway near the bridge have not yet been identified, though Bristy is presumed dead based on the charges filed.

Prosecutors anticipate taking the case before a grand jury on May 7. If convicted, Abugharbieh could face the death penalty.