ICT sends journos Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, Farzana Rupa to jail in July Uprising case

The International Crimes Tribunal today (24 August) showed journalists Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa arrested in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July Uprising and sent them to jail.

The tribunal also set 25 October for the submission of the investigation report.

A two-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Md Monjurul Basid, passed the order.

Shyamal is the editor of Bhorer Kagoj and a former general secretary of the Jatiya Press Club. Babu was the managing director and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV, while Rupa was its principal correspondent.

The prosecution alleged that then prime minister Sheikh Hasina held a press conference at Gono Bhaban on 14 July 2024, where the three journalists made provocative statements while asking questions.

Following the remarks, Hasina referred to the protesters as "children of Razakars" and "grandchildren of Razakars", the prosecution said.

It alleged that crimes against humanity were subsequently committed in July as a continuation of the provocation. The prosecution said an investigation into the 14 July incident is ongoing as part of the case.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Farooq Ahammad said the tribunal had issued production warrants against the three journalists on 17 August in connection with the case. They were subsequently produced before the tribunal today.

The prosecution applied to show them arrested in the case and send them to jail, while seeking two months to submit the investigation report.

Prosecutor Farooq Ahammad conducted the hearing for the prosecution, accompanied by prosecutors Zohirul Amin, Marjina Raihan, Tareq Abdullah and others.

Following the hearing, the tribunal granted the applications and ordered the three journalists to be sent to jail.