Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today set January 21 for passing its order on whether to frame charges in a crimes against humanity case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and former ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, along with state minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, set the date as both prosecution and defense concluded their hearing on the matter today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam represented the prosecution during the hearing, while advocate Liton Ahmed defended Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and advocate Manjur Alam represented the fugitive Joy. An arrest warrant was previously issued against Joy on December 4, following the tribunal’s cognisance of the formal charge against him and Palak.
The formal charge accuses Joy and Palak of shutting down nationwide internet services during the July Uprising, allegedly facilitating crimes against humanity. The prosecution stated that Palak, as the state minister for the ICT Division, made a post on his verified Facebook account with approval from Joy, which allegedly instigated attacks on students and citizens by police and Chhatra League cadres.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam elaborated that Palak, under Joy’s directive, initially reduced mobile internet speeds and then shut down services to detain, torture, and kill protesters. Palak allegedly issued a false statement regarding the shutdown and blocked social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok to conceal the crimes. The prosecution alleged the conspiracy originated from Joy, who acted on advice from his mother, Sheikh Hasina, with Palak executing the plan.
The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted the probe report against the accused on December 3, 2025.