International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 has set 11 January for hearing on charge framing in a crimes against humanity case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
Joy had served as the former Information and Communication Technology (ICT) affairs adviser to Hasina, while Palak served in the ICT Division.
The tribunal passed this order on Wednesday. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam represented the prosecution, while lawyer Liton Ahmed represented Palak.
Liton Ahmed stated that the hearing on charge framing was scheduled initially for Wednesday, but they had requested a meeting with the accused in jail to discuss case-related matters. The request was granted, and the date for charge framing hearing was rescheduled.
The prosecution’s hearing will be held on 11 January, after which the defence will present its arguments on charge framing on 14 January.
Previously, on 4 December, the tribunal took cognizance of the charges against Joy and Palak. On that day, an arrest warrant was also issued against Joy. Palak, who is already in custody, was shown arrested in the case concerning crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising.
The cases against Joy and Palak are proceeding together in the tribunal. Three charges have been brought against them.
The ICT-1, on 17 December 2025, ordered the appointment of a state defence counsel to represent Joy, who remains at large in the case. The tribunal passed the order as Joy failed to appear before it despite the publication of newspaper notices asking him to do so.
Earlier on 10 December 2025, the tribunal ordered the authorities concerned to publish notices in daily newspapers asking Sajeeb Wazed Joy to appear before it on 17 December.
On 4 December, the tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Joy after taking into cognizance the formal charge brought against him and former state minister for the ICT Division, Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
According to the formal charge, Joy and Palak are accused of shutting down nationwide internet services during the July Uprising, allegedly facilitating crimes against humanity.
“Palak, being the state minister for the ICT Division at the time, gave a status and made a post on his verified Facebook account after getting approval from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, thereby instigating unprecedented attacks on agitating students and people by police and Chhatra League cadres,” the prosecution said.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said Palak, following the order and approval from Joy, first reduced the speed of mobile internet services and subsequently shut them down to create an opportunity to detain, torture and kill the protesters.
The prosecution added, “He then gave a false statement regarding the internet shutdown and later blocked several social networking sites, including WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok to keep the world in the dark about the horrific crimes taking place at the time.
“The conspiracy to block the internet originated from Sajeeb Wazed Joy. He made the decision after taking advice from his mother, Sheikh Hasina, and the decision was executed by Palak.”
The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted a probe report against the accused on 3 December 2025.
