Defence seeks discharge of Joy, Palak

A state-appointed defence counsel yesterday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that Sajeeb Wazed Joy was falsely implicated in a crimes against humanity case to prevent his return to the country.

During the charge hearing, defence lawyer Monjur Alam sought Joy’s discharge, claiming the charges were baseless and that the prosecution had failed to submit any documentary evidence in support of the allegations.

“Since Joy is the son of a former prime minister, there is a possibility of his return to politics in Bangladesh in the future, and that is why he has been made an accused to tarnish his image,” Monjur told journalists after the proceedings.

Joy, the son of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, served as her ICT adviser. He and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak were named as accused in a case filed over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising.

The prosecution brought three charges against Joy and Palak, accusing them of inciting violent crackdowns on protesters, during which more than 1,400 people were killed and over 25,000 injured; ordering internet shutdowns to conceal the atrocities; and directing law enforcement agencies and ruling party cadres to open fire on demonstrators.

The defence lawyer said his client had been appointed as an honorary adviser and had no authority to make decisions. He also said Joy had no authority to issue any order or instruction to Palak.

When the tribunal observed that although Joy was an adviser, he did not take steps to prevent the crimes, the defence argued that he held no executive authority.

As the prosecution argued that the internet was shut down to conceal the atrocities and that the highest number of protesters were killed in the three days following the shutdown, Palak, who was in the dock, said on August 2, during the movement, he had decided to step down in line with the students’ demands. 

He said he had spoken in favour of the protesters at a cabinet meeting and had informed the former PM of his decision to resign.

Palak also claimed that the internet had never been shut down and the international airport remained operational.

The tribunal chair then asked him to sit, saying it would hear him further when necessary.

Following the hearing, the tribunal fixed January 21 for passing an order on whether charges would be framed in the case.

Meanwhile, the prosecution yesterday sought the highest punishment for all 16 accused after concluding its arguments before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in a case filed over the killing of seven people, six of whom were later set on fire in Ashulia. 

Defence arguments in that case will begin on Sunday.