Order to Publish Notice in Newspaper for Joy to Appear Before Tribunal

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has directed the publication of notices in newspapers summoning Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, to appear before the court in a case involving crimes against humanity, including murder and mass killings, linked to last year's July-August internet shutdowns.

Another accused, former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, is currently in custody.

The order was issued today (10 December) by the two-member ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, after hearing a petition from the prosecution.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam informed the tribunal about the progress on the arrest warrant issued for Joy and sought permission to publish notices in two national daily newspapers to summon the fugitive accused.

The tribunal approved the request and set 17 December for the next hearing. It also instructed its registrar to publish the notices.

During the proceedings, Palak's lawyer Liton Ahmed complained that prison authorities were not allowing his client weekly phone calls with family members or fortnightly visits, and he sought the tribunal's intervention.

On 4 December, the tribunal accepted formal charges against the two accused and issued an arrest warrant for Joy. Earlier that day, the prosecution had submitted the charges, alleging genocide carried out through the imposition of an internet blackout.

The prosecution says if Joy does not appear after the notices are published, a state-appointed defence lawyer will be assigned to him, and he will be officially declared a fugitive before the indictment process proceeds.