Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 has ordered the appointment of a state defence counsel to represent Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former ICT affairs adviser, who remains at large, in a crimes against humanity case. The decision was made as Joy failed to appear before the tribunal despite prior newspaper notices requesting his presence.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the two-member tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, has scheduled a hearing for January 7 to address charge framing in the case. Previously, on December 10, the tribunal instructed relevant authorities to publish notices in daily newspapers summoning Joy to appear on December 17 to face trial.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam participated in the hearing, with Advocate Liton Ahmed representing another accused, former state minister for the ICT Division, Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The tribunal had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Joy on December 4 after acknowledging the formal charge against him and Palak.
The formal charge accuses Joy and Palak of orchestrating a nationwide internet shutdown during the July Uprising, which allegedly facilitated crimes against humanity. The prosecution claims that Palak, with Joy's approval, prompted attacks on protesters by police and Chhatra League cadres.
Chief Prosecutor Islam elaborated that Palak, following Joy's directive, initially reduced mobile internet speeds and subsequently shut them down, creating conditions to detain, torture, and kill protesters. Palak allegedly issued false statements about the internet shutdown and blocked social media platforms to obscure the crimes from global scrutiny. The prosecution asserts that the conspiracy originated from Joy, who executed the plan after consulting with his mother, Sheikh Hasina.
The tribunal's investigation agency submitted the probe report against the accused on December 3.