International Crimes Tribunal‑1 has indicted ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a crimes against humanity case.
With this indictment order, formal trial proceedings against the two accused began.
ICT‑1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order on Wednesday.
Earlier, the prosecution filed an application to frame charges against Joy, former ICT adviser to Sheikh Hasina, and Palak in the case involving killings and other offenses committed by shutting down the internet during the July 2024 uprising.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam submitted the application on behalf of the prosecution.
According to case documents, Joy assisted in carrying out killings by shutting down internet services during the July uprising. Mobile internet was completely shut down from midnight on 17 July until 28 July 2024.
Additionally, internet‑based communication platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp were blocked for 13 days, returning to normal on 5 August 2024 at noon. The prosecution claims that by shutting down the internet during the movement, he systematically aided in the killings.
