Bangladesh ICT Issues Arrest Warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy

The International Crime Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in relation to accusations of crimes against humanity stemming from student-led protests in July 2024. Officials claim Joy's actions to shut down internet access were intended to repress demonstrators.

This order was given by the ICT-1 panel, presided over by Justice Golam Mortaza, alongside Justices Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The case extends to former State Minister for Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, with Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam confirming that Joy has been implicated in the alleged human rights violations during the protests.

This action follows recent convictions against Sheikh Hasina and her relatives, including a five-year sentence for Sheikh Hasina on corruption charges, a seven-year sentence for her sister Sheikh Rehana, and two years for Tulip Siddique, a British MP and Rehana's daughter. These charges are related to the alleged improper allocation of government land in Dhaka's Purbachal area.

The ICT had previously sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death concerning fatalities among students during last year’s protests. Both she and Sajeeb Wazed Joy have denounced the tribunal’s process, labeling it as a kangaroo court. Sheikh Hasina fled to India amid civil unrest on August 5, 2024, while Joy currently resides in the United States.

Initiated by the interim government under Muhammad Yunus, these actions seek to hold Sheikh Hasina and her family accountable for their conduct during the protests. The arrest warrant for Joy signifies a notable intensification of the legal scrutiny being directed at the former Prime Minister and her family in light of civil unrest.

The ICT's actions, particularly the recent warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy, have garnered international attention due to the serious nature of the allegations pertaining to state suppression of protests and human rights violations.