ICT indictment hearing in Joy's crimes against humanity case on 11 Jan

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today (7 January) set 11 January for holding a hearing on charge framing in a crime against humanity case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son and former ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy and state minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

The tribunal passed the order as the hearing scheduled for the day could not take place due to procedural formalities related to the appointment of a state-appointed defence counsel for Joy.

On 17 December last year, a three-member ICT-1 bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder appointed Advocate Monjur Alam as the state defence counsel for Joy, who remains at large in the case.

The tribunal passed the order as Joy failed to appear before it despite the publication of newspaper notices asking him to do so, reports BSS.

Earlier on 10 December 2025, the tribunal ordered the authorities concerned to publish notices in daily newspapers asking Sajeeb Wazed Joy to appear before it on 17 December.

Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam took part in the hearing today, while Advocate Liton Ahmed stood for Palak.

On 4 December, the tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Joy after taking into cognisance the formal charge brought against him and Palak. 

According to the formal charge, Joy and Palak are accused of shutting down nationwide internet services during the July Uprising, allegedly facilitating crimes against humanity. 

"Palak, being the state minister for the ICT Division at the time, gave a status and made a post on his verified Facebook account after getting approval from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, thereby instigating unprecedented attacks on agitating students and people by police and Chhatra League cadres," the prosecution said. 

Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said Palak, following the order and approval from Joy, first reduced the speed of mobile internet services and subsequently shut them down to create an opportunity to detain, torture and kill the protesters.

"He then gave a false statement regarding the internet shutdown and later blocked several social networking sites, including WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok to keep the world in the dark about the horrific crimes taking place at the time. 

The conspiracy to block the internet originated from Sajeeb Wazed Joy. He made the decision after taking advice from his mother, Sheikh Hasina, and the decision was executed by Palak," the prosecution added.

The tribunal's investigation agency submitted the probe report against the accused on 3 December 2025.