ICT Tribunal Sets Jan 21 for Charge Framing Against Joy, Palak

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set January 21 for passing an order on charge framing against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, over allegations of crimes against humanity through internet shutdowns during the mass uprising.

The date was fixed on Thursday, January 15, by the tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

Defense lawyers appeared before the tribunal, with Litton Ahmed representing Palak and Manzur Alam, a state-appointed lawyer, representing Joy.

During the hearing, defense counsels opposed the three charges brought by the prosecution, arguing that neither Joy nor Palak had any direct involvement in the alleged crimes. They sought dismissal of the charges and acquittal of both accused. In response, the prosecution presented documents and data claiming direct involvement and urged the tribunal to frame charges.

Following the hearing, the tribunal fixed January 21 for issuing its order.

Earlier, on January 11, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam presented arguments in favor of framing charges. He read out the three allegations and sought commencement of trial proceedings against both accused. The tribunal subsequently heard counter-arguments from the defense.

According to the prosecution, the three charges include allegations that Palak, acting on Joy’s instructions, incited violence through Facebook on the night of July 14, 2024. Following this, police, Awami League, and Chhatra League armed groups allegedly attacked protesters at Dhaka University and other locations on July 15. The accused are also alleged to have instigated the use of lethal weapons by enforcing an internet shutdown, aided killings, and facilitated attacks that resulted in the deaths of 28 people, including Russell and Mosleh Uddin. The third charge relates to their alleged role in aiding 34 killings in Uttara.

In connection with the case, the court on December 10 ordered the publication of surrender notices for Joy in two national newspapers on charges of crimes against humanity. Palak, who remains in custody, was produced before the tribunal on the same day. Earlier, on December 4, the tribunal took cognizance of the formal charges submitted by the prosecution.

DBTech/BTN/EK/OR