Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday ordered the arrest and detention of three senior journalists in connection with a crimes against humanity case related to the July uprising in 2024. The journalists involved are Shyamal Dutta, former editor of Bhorer Kagoj, Mozammel Babu, managing director and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV, and Farzana Rupa, the chief correspondent of Ekattor TV.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the tribunal had previously instructed jail authorities to present the journalists before the tribunal on Monday. During the hearing, Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed represented the prosecution alongside other prosecutors, including Zahirul Amin, Marjina Raihan, and Tarek Abdullah.
Faruk Ahmed informed the tribunal that production warrants for the journalists were issued on August 17, linked to the crimes against humanity case concerning the July uprising. As the journalists were brought before the tribunal, the prosecution requested that they be officially arrested in the case and incarcerated.
The prosecution also requested a two-month period to submit the investigation report. The case stems from a press conference held by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on July 14, 2024, where certain journalists allegedly made provocative remarks during the question session. In response, Sheikh Hasina referred to the protesters as 'children of razakars' and 'granddaughters of razakars'.