ICT indicts Joy, Palak in crimes against humanity case; trial begins 18 Feb

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today (21 January) ordered the commencement of trial against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a crimes against humanity case over allegations of conspiracy and incitement to mass killings during the anti-discrimination movement by shutting down internet services.

The three-member ICT-1 bench, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, framed charges against the two accused and fixed 18 February for opening statements and witness examination.

Earlier in the day, the tribunal rejected discharge petitions filed by the defence lawyers of both accused. Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud then read out the three charges brought by the prosecution before formally framing the charges, marking the start of the trial.

Of the two accused, Palak is currently in custody and was produced before the tribunal from jail in the morning. Joy, who is absconding, is being represented by state-appointed defence lawyer Manjur Alam.

The prosecution brought three charges against the accused.

The first charge relates to incidents that took place on 14 and 15 July 2024 at Dhaka University and other parts of the country. According to the prosecution, Palak, acting on instructions from Joy, posted three consecutive Facebook statuses between midnight and 1:00am on 14 July. Following those posts, police, Awami League and Chhatra League activists allegedly launched attacks on protesters at Dhaka University and elsewhere on 15 July.

The second charge concerns incidents in Dhaka's Badda, Uttara, Rampura and Khilgaon areas on 18, 19 and 24 July, during which several people, including Gongacharan Rajbongshi, Rasel, Hasib and Mosleh Uddin, were killed and many others injured. The prosecution alleged that Joy and Palak incited and instigated crimes by ordering internet shutdowns and encouraging the use of drones, helicopters and lethal weapons. A phone conversation between Palak and Salman F Rahman regarding the internet shutdown was also cited in this charge.

The third charge relates to killings carried out in Uttara on 5 August, in which Jabid Ibrahim, Shamsul Alam and several others were killed and many injured. The prosecution again alleged the use of lethal weapons and incitement by the accused.

After the charges were read out, Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud asked Palak whether he pleaded guilty. Standing in the dock, Palak said all allegations against him were false and claimed innocence.

Following this, the tribunal framed the charges and scheduled 18 February for opening statements and the recording of witness testimony.

The prosecution earlier argued that Joy and Palak played a central role in orchestrating violence during the anti-discrimination movement by using digital platforms and state machinery to suppress protests. 

On 15 January, the tribunal had fixed Wednesday for passing an order on charge framing in the case.