The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has fixed January 11 for the hearing on framing of charges against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a crimes against humanity case.
The order was passed on Wednesday by a single-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud.
A hearing on charge framing was scheduled for Wednesday, but the tribunal set a new date as the letter of appointment for a state-appointed defence lawyer for absconding accused Joy had not yet been issued.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Liton Ahmed represented Palak.
Earlier in the day, Palak was produced before the tribunal from jail in a prison van. He has been in custody since his arrest. As Joy remains absconding, the tribunal on December 17 ordered the appointment of state defence counsel on his behalf.
On December 10, the tribunal directed that notices be published in two national newspapers asking Joy to surrender. The tribunal took cognisance of the charges against both accused on December 4, the same day the prosecution submitted the formal charge.
According to the prosecution, Joy, who served as ICT adviser to the ousted prime minister, is alleged to have masterminded the shutdown of internet services during July–August 2024 to conceal information about alleged genocide, while Palak allegedly implemented the decision from within Bangladesh. The case was filed on allegations of inciting crimes against humanity through the suspension of internet services.
