The State Dialogue Forum (SDF) on Sunday filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), accusing 28 prominent figures from Bangladesh's cultural sector of alleged involvement in crimes committed during the July 2024 mass uprising.
Al Noor Mohammad Ayas, central member secretary of SDF, submitted the complaint to ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam.
Those named in the complaint include actors Ferdous Ahmed, actress and filmmaker Meher Afroz Shaon, actors Riaz Ahmed, Aruna Biswas, Shomi Kaiser, Rokeya Prachy, Mahiya Mahi, Nipun Akter, Tanvin Sweety, Hridi Haq, Jyotika Jyoti, Saju Khadem, Sohana Saba, model and lawyer Pia Jannatul, Shamima Tusti, Hero Alom, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Simon Sadik, Sujata Azim, Zayed Khan, Azizul Hakim, Chandan Reza, Asaduzzaman Noor, model Maria Kispatta, journalists Anis Alamgir, Soma Islam, Shanta Farzana and political leader Momin Mehedi.
In the complaint, SDF alleged that the accused were involved in crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, including incitement to genocide, aiding and abetting, instigation and other related offences.
The organisation said it had filed the complaint seeking an impartial, transparent and lawful investigation by the ICT into the allegations.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the complaint, Ayas alleged that several of those named, including Shanta Farzana and Momin Mehedi, had continued to disparage the July mass uprising.
He claimed that the Awami League government's fall on August 5 marked the end of its rule and alleged that some of its supporters were attempting to re-enter public life as lawyers or academics.
He said the organisation would oppose such efforts.