The International Crimes Tribunal has taken cognizance of the formal charges brought against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a case involving crimes against humanity over the alleged massacre carried out during the July–August Anti-Discrimination Student Movement following an internet shutdown.
An arrest warrant was also issued for Joy, who has been shown as an absconding accused in the case.
The order was passed by the three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, after hearing a prosecution petition. The tribunal fixed December 10 for the next hearing.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, who represented the state, sought arrest warrants for the absconding accused, which the court subsequently granted.
Earlier, Prosecutor Tamim told the tribunal that the investigation report against the two had been received on the evening of December 3. Following that, the prosecution submitted formal charges accusing Joy and Palak of committing genocide through the shutdown of internet services.
The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal received the investigation report against four individuals, including Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising against discrimination by students.
The other three accused named in the report are former law minister Anisul Huq, former prime minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
According to the prosecution, the investigation agency has submitted the report after an extensive probe into allegations of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising against Anisul Huq, Salman F Rahman, Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Palak.
Upon scrutiny of the report, the legal procedure for filing formal charges before the Tribunal will commence. The formal charges are expected to be submitted soon.
At present, Anisul Huq, Salman F Rahman, and Zunaid Ahmed Palak remain in prison in connection with separate cases, while Sajeeb Wazed Joy is currently abroad.
