The prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT)-1 formally pleaded on Sunday for the indictment of Sajeeb Wazed Joy -- son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a case involving crimes against humanity.
During the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam argued that both individuals played pivotal roles in orchestrating nationwide internet shutdowns during the mass uprising in July-August 2024 to facilitate and conceal a violent crackdown on protesters.
The tribunal has adjourned the proceedings until January 15, when the defense is expected to present arguments for a discharge petition.
Palak’s counsel, Liton Ahmed, and state-appointed counsel for the fugitive Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Manjur Alam, were present as the court reviewed the formal charges stemming from a probe report submitted in December 2025.
The prosecution’s case centers on the allegation that the internet blackout was a strategic tool used to create a "black hole" of information, allowing security forces and Chhatra League cadres to detain, torture and kill agitating students without international scrutiny.
According to Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, the conspiracy originated with Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who reportedly made the decision after consulting with his mother, Sheikh Hasina.
"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.
Palak is accused of executing these orders by first throttling mobile data speeds and then enforcing a total shutdown, while simultaneously issuing false public statements regarding the cause of the connectivity issues.
The prosecution further alleged that Palak’s social media posts, approved by Joy, served to instigate attacks on the movement.
By blocking platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok, the accused are alleged to have intentionally kept the world in the dark about the "horrific crimes" occurring on the ground, leading the tribunal to previously issue arrest warrants against them on December 4.
"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 Palak executed the decision," the prosecution added.
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