Formal Charge
Below is an extract from the Formal Charge, setting out the allegations made by the prosecution and submitted to the Tribunal. It is an unofficial translation from the original bengali. The first section from 1.1-1.24 provides a historical and political background which is almost identical to the text set out in other Formal Charges relating to other trials. The only significant difference is that in para 1.7, it includes the following information:
“In a 25,000 crore Taka information technology project, former State Minister Junaid Ahmed Palak engaged in massive embezzlement. Half of the 22 projects undertaken in this sector were looted. An investigative committee formed regarding these projects found evidence of embezzlement in nearly every project.
Junaid Ahmed Palak maintained direct contact with all 22 projects. Among these, projects worth 19,000 crore Taka were implemented under the Department of Information and Communication Technology, and projects worth 5,500 crore Taka were implemented by the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC). Most of the 22 projects were undertaken in 2016, with some projects extending until 2027. In several cases, fund allocations were increased in multiple phases. Each project was taken based on government policymakers’ decisions, and release of funds depended on his direct approval. Supply contracts for project equipment were awarded to his preferred companies, as procuring from favored companies guaranteed opportunities for bribes. (Source: Bangladesh Pratidin, “Junaid Palak’s Massive Loot in 25,000 Crore IT Projects,” 30 November 2024)
Additionally, a case has been filed against Junaid Ahmed Palak’s wife, Arifa Jesmin, for discrepancies between her known income and assets worth 9,58,93,433 Taka. Investigations revealed that she held 22,34,71,979 Taka in 31 bank accounts and had 17,56,82,877 Taka in suspicious transactions. “
And at para 1.24 states:
To maintain her government, the then Minister in charge of the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, shut down the internet to conceal the human rights violations occurring during the July uprising, including killings, attempted killings, torture, and other crimes throughout the country and globally. (Source: Daily Ittefaq, “Mobile Internet shut down based on situation: Palak”)
Main Extract
1.25 Assistance in Committing Crimes via Internet Shutdown During the July 2024 Mass Uprising:
During the July 2024 mass uprising, the then Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, along with her cabinet members, parliament members, and leaders of Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, their affiliated organizations, and the 14-party alliance, collectively decided to carry out human rights violations across the country. On 14 July 2024, at a press conference at Ganabhaban, Sheikh Hasina made provocative statements, referring to the protesters as “Rajakar, Rajakar’s children, and Rajakar’s grandchildren”. That night, in a conversation with Dhaka University VC ASM Maksud Kamal, she gave instructions to use Chhatra League, Jubo League, and law enforcement agencies to suppress the movement, including orders for killing protesters. Sheikh Hasina further directed the deployment of police and BGB, the use of drones for identification, locating protesters with the help of various forces and agencies, helicopter flights, and the use of lethal weapons for bombing and shooting protesters. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged suppression of peaceful protesters, claiming that Chhatra League alone was sufficient to control the movement. At a meeting of the 14-party alliance, a curfew was imposed, and protesters were ordered to be shot on sight. Following the orders, instructions, approvals, and knowledge of Sheikh Hasina and the accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, the accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, acting as the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, assisted in implementing these directives. To enable maximum suppression, arrest, torture, and killings of protesters, mobile internet speed was first reduced and then completely shut down, false statements were issued regarding the internet shutdown, and later all broadband and internet services, along with apps such as Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp (including cache servers), were blocked. This effectively concealed the scale of human rights violations, killings, attempted killings, torture, and other crimes during the July movement from Bangladesh and the world.
From 14/07/2024 (midnight of 15/07/2024) 00:47 to 08:00, mobile internet services were shut down in 5 government university areas, and from 16/07/2024 18:39, in 55 government universities and 4 private universities, via BTRC control. On 28/07/2024, multiple apps, including Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, were blocked via NTMC.
Including cache servers, he ordered the shutdown and instructed his subordinate authorities at BTRC and BSCCPLC to suspend internet services starting from 7:00 PM on 18/07/2024. Following this directive, the BTRC authorities instructed ITC (International Terrestrial Cable) operators to shut down their upstream bandwidth, while BSCCPLC authorities suspended upstream services from the submarine cable landing stations in Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali. Through these actions, internet services were shut down, cutting off communication among protesting students and citizens. As a result, they were forced to rely on mobile SIM calls, making it easier to track their locations and plans, leading to nationwide arrests and crackdowns through block raids. During this period, police, BGB, armed members of Jubo League and Chhatra League, and cadres of the 14-party alliance used lethal weapons to shoot, kill, injure, torture, and detain protesters in an attempt to suppress the movement. On 05/08/2024, to prevent the “March to Dhaka” program, armed attacks were carried out against protesters. To conceal the brutality of these attacks from the global community, on the orders of accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, BTRC and BSCCPLC once again shut down internet services nationwide. These crimes have been substantiated through investigations by the United Nations and various national and international organizations. Investigations have also confirmed that law enforcement agencies, Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, their affiliated organizations, and the 14-party alliance committed crimes against humanity against innocent and unarmed students and citizens through coordinated political decisions. As a politician and minister, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak disregarded the fundamental human rights of the people and, as a stakeholder in power, publicly and secretly supported and justified the crimes against humanity committed by the Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. He incited, encouraged, and facilitated the implementation of Sheikh Hasina’s secret decision to use lethal weapons and actively assisted and participated in these actions. Due to Junaid Ahmed Palak’s instigation, provocation, assistance, and involvement, nationwide curfews were imposed, and lethal weapons were used to suppress peaceful protests, resulting in mass arrests, illegal detention, torture, severe injuries, and killings. During this period, more than 1,400 people were killed, and over 25,000 people were seriously injured, including victims who lost parts of their skulls, suffered shattered jaws, facial disfigurement, permanent blindness in one or both eyes, severe vision loss, amputations of arms or legs, permanent disabilities, and others who continue to suffer unbearable pain from hundreds of pellets embedded in their bodies. These attacks on innocent and unarmed protesters represent grave and heinous crimes.
These attacks were carried out by identifying protesters through drone surveillance, deploying helicopters, and firing lethal weapons such as SMGs and Chinese rifles. Even after death, many bodies were disappeared, medical treatment for the injured was obstructed, doctors were forced to alter causes of death, many victims were buried as unclaimed bodies, and families were prevented from conducting proper burials. In some cases, bodies were even burned after killing, reflecting inhumane conduct.
To prevent the public from learning about these killings and acts of torture, and to enable their continuation, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak shut down internet services through verbal orders and SMS instructions. These actions constitute offenses under Sections 3(2)(a), (g), (h), 4(1), 4(2), and 4(3) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973. Accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and Junaid Ahmed Palak were directly involved in all the aforementioned crimes.
These crimes were committed on a large scale, systematically, and in a targeted manner to keep the 14-party alliance government under Sheikh Hasina in power. In addition, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, through statements made on his verified Facebook page, incited the use of lethal weapons and force to suppress the peaceful student-citizen movement, with the full support and approval of accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy.
2. Identification of the Accused:
2.1 Accused: Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy (54) Father: Late M. A. Wazed Mia Mother: Sheikh Hasina
Permanent Address: Fatehpur (Miyabari), Pirganj Police Station, Rangpur District Date
Birth: 27/07/1971 He obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from a university in the United States. He married an American citizen named Christine Overmeyer, and they reportedly divorced in 2023. They have one daughter named Sophia Wazed. In 2010, on 25 February, he became a member of the Rangpur District Awami League. He was appointed as the Information and Communication Technology Advisor to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for three terms on 17 November 2014, 15 January 2019, and 21 January 2024.
2.2 Accused: Junaid Ahmed Palak (45) Father: Late Foyez Uddin Ahmed Mother: Jamila Ahmed Permanent Address: Singra College Para, Singra Police Station, Natore District Date of Birth: 17/05/1980 National ID: 7308492441 He passed SSC in 1995 from Singra Domdoma High School, HSC in 1997 from Rajshahi Barendra College, BA (Humanities) in 1999 from Singra Gol-e-Afroze Government College, Natore, and later obtained an LLB degree in 2002 from a Law College under the National University.
He is from Singra Gol-e-Afroze Government College area, Natore District.
While studying at a government college, he served as Vice President of the college in the 1999–2000 session and as General Secretary of Singra Chhatra League in 2001. In 2008, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Natore-03 constituency as an Awami League-nominated candidate. In 2014 and 2018, he served as State Minister for ICT, and after being elected in 2024, he served as State Minister of the Information and Communication Technology Division under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. He is currently arrested and detained in prison in ICT BD Misc Case No. 03 of 2024.
3. Investigative Actions Taken and Recommendations of the Investigating Officer
The investigating officer of this case is Mr. Md. Jane Alam Khan, Deputy Director, Investigation Agency, International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh, Dhaka. He was appointed as the investigating officer on 14/08/2024 under Complaint Register Serial No. 127 and duly commenced the investigation in accordance with the rules. He was fully assisted in the investigation by Mr. Md. Monirul Islam, Deputy Director, Investigation Agency, and Special Investigating Officer Tanvir Hasan Joha. During the investigation, the investigating officer visited the crime scenes, seized necessary evidence from the concerned authorities, and recorded statements after examining witnesses, injured witnesses, and relatives of the deceased victims. During the investigation, he collected books, newspapers, historical records, documents, video footage, digital evidence, and various data related to the July 2024 Mass Uprising preserved in the Investigation Agency’s library. During the investigation, after finding prima facie evidence against accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and Junaid Ahmed Palak, the investigating officer applied through the learned Chief Prosecutor to the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on 16/10/2024 for issuance of arrest warrants. Accordingly, arrest warrants were issued against them on 17/10/2024. As accused Junaid Ahmed Palak was already in custody in another case, upon the prosecution’s application, he was produced before the Honorable Tribunal under police warrant (P/W) and, by Order No. 03 dated 18/11/2024, he was shown arrested in this case and sent to jail custody in International Crimes Tribunal-1, ICT BD Misc Case No. 03/2024. He was interrogated for one day in accordance with legal procedures under the Tribunal’s order.
As the accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy is currently outside the country, it was not possible to arrest or interrogate him.
During the investigation, the investigating officer reviewed live-recorded videos, video footage, and audio clips from various television channels and electronic media. He collected expert reports on the case-related evidence from the concerned authorities. He seized relevant evidence related to the incident and recorded statements by examining witnesses.
Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, the investigating officer found prima facie truth in the allegations against accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and Junaid Ahmed Palak under Sections 3(2)(a), (g), (h), 4(1), 4(2), and 4(3) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, and submitted the investigation report to the Chief Prosecutor for trial on 29/11/2025. After reviewing the investigation report submitted by the investigating officer, along with video footage, audio clips, documentary evidence, and witness statements, the individual liability of the accused, their superior, and joint liability, and the prima facie validity of the specific allegations against them were identified as follows:
4. Individual Liability of the Accused
4.1 Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy:
During the 2024 mass uprising, the then Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, members of her cabinet, members of parliament, and leaders of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, their affiliated organizations, and the 14-party alliance collectively made decisions that led to the commission of crimes against humanity nationwide. On 14 July, the then Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, as the head of the 14-party alliance, made provocative remarks at a press conference at Ganabhaban, calling the protesters “Razakars,” “children of Razakars,” and “grandchildren of Razakars.” That night, during a discussion with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor A.S.M. Maksud Kamal, she issued various directives to suppress the movement by using Chhatra League, Jubo League, and law enforcement agencies, including instructions to kill protesters. She also ordered the deployment of police and BGB, identification of protesters through drones, tracking their locations using various agencies, helicopter operations, and the use of lethal weapons, including bombing and shooting, to kill protesters. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader incited repression against peaceful protesters by stating that Chhatra League alone was sufficient to suppress the movement. In meetings of the 14-party alliance, orders were given to impose curfew and shoot protesters on sight.
As the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Advisor on Information and Communication Technology, accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy remained one of the key policymakers of the government even while staying abroad.
Accused Junaid Ahmed Palak did not make any significant decisions in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, including the directive to shut down the “upstream bandwidth” of ITC (International Terrestrial Cable) and submarine cables, without the advice, counsel, instructions, and approval of Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy.
Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, and Junaid Ahmed Palak together, to suppress the mass uprising of July 2024, used lethal weapons, disrupted communications among protesters, identified them, and created opportunities to arrest, torture, and kill protesters by applying maximum force. Initially, they slowed down mobile internet and later completely shut it down. They provided false statements regarding the internet shutdown and subsequently blocked all types of broadband and internet services, including Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, and several other apps (including cache servers), to hide the horrific picture of crimes against humanity occurring during the July uprising from both Bangladesh and the global community.
Acting under the orders, instructions, approvals, and knowledge of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, as the Minister of State for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, an Awami League leader, became one of Sheikh Hasina’s key collaborators in implementing the directives for the killings. Following these orders, from the night of 14/07/2024 (i.e., 15/07/2024 at 00:47 hrs) to 08:00 hrs, he shut down mobile internet services in five government university areas. Later, from 16/07/2024 at 18:39 hrs, mobile internet services were shut down in 55 government and 4 private university areas through BTRC.
On 28/07/2024, through NTMC, he also blocked several apps, including Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp (including cache servers), and on 18/07/2024 at 19:00 hrs, he ordered his subordinates at BTRC and BSCCPLC to shut down internet services. Following these instructions, BTRC instructed ITC operators to shut down their “upstream bandwidth,” and BSCCPLC stopped upstream service from the submarine cable landing stations in Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali.
By shutting down internet services in this manner, communication among the protesting students was severed. As a result, they were forced to use mobile SIMs to communicate, making it easier to track their locations and plans. This facilitated nationwide arrests and suppression operations through block raids.
The police, BGB, armed Jubo League and Chhatra League members, and cadres of the 14-party alliance used lethal weapons to shoot, kill, injure, torture, and detain protesters, attempting to eliminate the movement. To prevent the planned “March to Dhaka” on 05/08/2024, they launched armed attacks on the protesters.
To carry out attacks and to conceal the brutality of these attacks from the global community, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak again shut down internet services across the country through BTRC and BSCCPLC. These crimes have been confirmed by investigations conducted by UN and various domestic and international organizations. At the same time, investigations also proved that law enforcement agencies, Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, their affiliated organizations, and the 14-party alliance, acting on collective and political decisions, committed crimes against humanity against innocent, unarmed students. As a leader and minister of the ruling Awami League, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, without regard for the fundamental human rights of the country’s citizens, publicly and secretly supported and promoted the crimes against humanity carried out by the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, as part of maintaining power. He incited, encouraged, and facilitated the government’s operations to kill students, implementing Sheikh Hasina’s secret directive to use lethal weapons. He actively assisted and participated in these actions. Through his incitement, provocation, support, and participation, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak contributed to the use of lethal weapons nationwide, the imposition of curfews, mass arrests, illegal detentions, torture, serious injuries, and killings of unarmed students during their peaceful protests. During this period, more than 1,400 people were killed, over 25,000 people were seriously injured (some had their skulls shattered, jaws broken, facial disfigurement, vision permanently lost in both or one eye, severe impairment of eyesight, one hand or one leg amputated, some permanently paralyzed, and others suffering excruciating pain from hundreds of pellets embedded in their bodies). These attacks on innocent, unarmed protesters were carried out by identifying them using drones, flying helicopters, and shooting from SMGs, Chinese rifles, and other lethal weapons. Many bodies were forcibly disappeared after death, medical treatment was obstructed for the injured, doctors were coerced to alter causes of death, many deceased were buried as unclaimed, and burials were obstructed. In some cases, bodies were even burned post-mortem. To prevent the public from learning about these killings and torture, and to facilitate continued perpetration of these crimes, accused Junaid Ahmed Palak shut down internet services verbally and via SMS.
Accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy did not give any instructions or take any measures for the withdrawal of the three inflammatory Facebook posts issued by his subordinate, ICT Minister Junaid Ahmed Palak, on the night of 14/07/2024 (i.e., 15/07/2024).
As a result, on the next day, 15/07/2024, police, Chhatra League, and other armed Awami League cadres began attacks on peaceful protesting students across the country, including Dhaka University. As a result, countless students at Dhaka University were injured, medical treatment for the injured was obstructed, and students under treatment in hospitals were seriously harmed, meaning torture was carried out on innocent, unarmed, peaceful protesters. This extreme cruelty continued uninterrupted until the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 05 August 2024. Consequently, more than 1,400 protesters, including Abu Said, were killed nationwide, and over 25,000 students were seriously injured.
The conspiracy and decision to shut down the internet originated from accused Sajeeb Wazed Joy. In consultation with his mother, Sheikh Hasina, he decided to shut down the internet, which was implemented by accused Junaid Ahmed Palak. On 23/07/2024, in a conversation with Salman F. Rahman, Junaid Ahmed Palak said:
“We should clearly inform the Honorable Prime Minister about the potential incidents that may occur, and tomorrow I will discuss this with the Advisor. He knows the latest about all technologies, so he will inform the Honorable Prime Minister. Last night I made the request, he talked. Then he told me to send a list of what I currently want to keep blocked so we can make it possible. I sent the list, he approved eight items. Now he said be ready with all your possible capabilities; when mother says ‘signal yes,’ open it; when she says ‘no,’ block it—this is the shutdown.”
On 05/08/2025, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana fled the country, in a conversation with Salman F. Rahman, it was heard that “do what Joy said.” This indicates that Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ICT Advisor, was the planner, conspirator, and de facto director of the government’s repression and persecution of innocent, unarmed, peaceful protesters.
Accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, in mutual consultation, through orders, instructions, approvals, and knowledge, completely shut down nationwide internet services. This concealed the horrifying scale of crimes against humanity during the July uprising from Bangladesh and the world. Using drones and helicopters to identify protesters, between 18/07/2024 and 23/07/2024, in Ramphura, Badda, Khilgaon, and Hatirjheel police stations of Dhaka city, they assisted, participated, and facilitated the killing of Gangacharan Rajbanshi (56), Ashikul Islam (14), and 26 others, which constitutes crimes against humanity.
Accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and Junaid Ahmed Palak, in mutual consultation, through orders, instructions, approvals, and knowledge, completely shut down nationwide internet services. This concealed the horrifying scale of crimes against humanity during the July uprising from Bangladesh and the world. Using drones and helicopters to identify protesters, in Uttara area of Dhaka city on 05/08/2024, in Uttara East and West police station areas, they assisted, participated, and facilitated the killing of child Jabir Ibrahim (06), Sanjid Hossain Mridha (16), Samid Hossain (18), and 31 others, which constitutes crimes against humanity.
Based on evidence collected during the investigation, the fugitive accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, through his direct supervision, giving instructions to subordinates, providing cooperation, creating opportunities, assisting, and through his subordinates, in acts of torture and killings, failing to prevent such criminal acts, and in other ways, has been prima facie found responsible for committing crimes against humanity under The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, sections 3(2) (a), (g), (h), 4(1), 4(2), 4(3). These are punishable offenses under the same law, sections 20(2) and 20A.
4.2 Junaid Ahmed Palak
During the 2024 uprising, the then Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, her cabinet members, Members of Parliament, and leaders of Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, their affiliated organizations, and the 14-party alliance collectively decided and committed crimes against humanity across the country. On 14 July, the 14-party alliance leader, then Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, gave inciting statements at a press conference in Gonobhaban, calling the protesters “Razakars, children of Razakars, and grandchildren of Razakars.” That night, during a discussion with Dhaka University VC ASM Maksud Kamal, she instructed the use of Chhatra League, Jubo League, and law enforcement to suppress the protest, including giving orders for killings. Sheikh Hasina also ordered deployment of police and BGB, identification of protesters using drones, locating protesters with the help of various forces and agencies, helicopter flights, and the use of lethal weapons for bombing and shooting protesters. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader encouraged the suppression of peaceful protesters, stating that Chhatra League alone is sufficient. At the 14-party alliance meeting, he issued curfews and ordered that protesters be shot on sight.
Being the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ICT Advisor, accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy was one of the government’s key policy makers even while being outside the country.
Without the advice, guidance, instructions, and approval of Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, the accused Junaid Ahmed Palak would not have taken any important decisions in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, including ordering the shutdown of the “upstream bandwidth” of ITC (International Terrestrial Cable) and submarine cables.
Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, and Junaid Ahmed Palak, to suppress the July 36 student protests, used lethal weapons, severed communication among the protesters, identified them, and created opportunities to carry out maximum force, arrest, torture, and killings of protesters. To facilitate this, they first slowed down the speed of mobile internet and later completely shut it down, issued false statements regarding the internet shutdown, and subsequently, by shutting down all types of internet services including broadband, and apps such as Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp (including cache servers), concealed the horrifying scale of crimes against humanity during the July uprising from Bangladesh and the world, including killings, attempted killings, torture, and other criminal acts across the country.
Under the orders, instructions, approval, and knowledge of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, as the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT, Awami League leader Junaid Ahmed Palak, as a key collaborator of Sheikh Hasina, executed the directives for these killings. On 14/07/2024, from midnight of 15/07/2024 (00:47 hrs) to morning 08:00 hrs, he shut down mobile internet in 5 government universities, and on 16/07/2024 (18:39 hrs), in 55 government universities and 4 private universities via BTRC.
On 28/07/2024, he shut down several apps including Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp via NTMC (including cache servers), and from 18/07/2024, 19:00 hrs, he ordered his subordinates in BTRC and BSCLPC to shut down internet services. Following these orders, BTRC instructed ITC operators to shut down their “upstream bandwidth,” and BSCLPC authorities stopped upstream services from their Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali submarine cable landing stations.
By shutting down internet services in this manner, communication among the protesting students was disrupted, forcing them to use mobile SIMs to communicate. Consequently, their location and plans were easily identified, enabling nationwide arrests and suppression operations via block raids.
Police, BGB, armed cadres of Jubo League, Chhatra League, and the 14-party alliance used lethal weapons, shooting, torture, and arrests to attempt the complete elimination of the student protesters. To prevent the planned 05/08/2024 march to Dhaka by students, they launched armed attacks against the protesters.
To carry out attacks and conceal the brutality of these attacks from the world, BTRC and BSCLPC, under the instructions of the accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, once again shut down internet services across the country. These crimes have also been confirmed through investigations by the United Nations and various national and international organizations.
The investigation further established that the law enforcement agencies, Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, and their affiliated organizations, along with the 14-party alliance, collectively made political decisions and committed crimes against humanity against innocent, unarmed student protesters.
As a politician and minister, the accused Junaid Ahmed Palak disregarded the fundamental human rights of the people and, solely as a participant in power, publicly and secretly supported the crimes against humanity carried out under the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. He incited, encouraged, and prompted the killing of students by the government in implementing the secret decision of Sheikh Hasina to use lethal weapons, and he also assisted and was complicit in her actions.
Through his incitement, prompting, assistance, and complicity, Junaid Ahmed Palak contributed to the nationwide suppression of peaceful student protests, using lethal weapons, imposing curfews, mass arrests, illegal detention, torture, grievous injuries, and killings. During this time, over 1,400 people were killed nationwide, and more than 25,000 were seriously injured (including cases where skulls were fractured, jaws were destroyed, facial features distorted, eyesight permanently lost in one or both eyes, limbs amputated, and some were permanently disabled or suffering from hundreds of pellets embedded in their bodies causing excruciating pain).
These attacks on innocent, unarmed protesters were carried out by identifying them using drones, deploying helicopters, and firing SMGs, Chinese rifles, and other lethal weapons. Many bodies were disappeared after death, treatment for the injured was obstructed, doctors were forced to alter causes of death, many of the deceased were buried as unclaimed, and burials were obstructed. In some cases, bodies were even burned in inhumane acts.
To prevent the public from learning about these killings and acts of torture and to facilitate their continuation, Junaid Ahmed Palak shut down internet services through verbal instructions and SMS.
The accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, acting under the instructions, approval, and knowledge of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, posted three provocative Facebook statuses on the night of 14/07/2024, i.e., 15/07/2024. As a result, on the following day, 15/07/2024, attacks began at Dhaka University.
The police and the armed Awami League cadres, including the Chhatra League, began attacking peaceful student protesters across the country. As a result, countless students were injured in the Dhaka University area, medical treatment for the injured was obstructed, and students receiving treatment in hospitals were seriously harmed. In other words, torture of innocent, unarmed, peaceful protesters began. This extreme cruelty continued unabated until the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 05/08/2024. As a result, more than 1,400 protesters, including Abu Saeed, were killed nationwide, and over 25,000 students were seriously injured.
The accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, under the orders, instructions, approval, and knowledge of the accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, completely shut down nationwide internet services, concealing the horrific crimes against humanity committed during the July movement from Bangladesh and the world. By identifying protesters using drones and helicopters, from 18/07/2024 to 23/07/2024, he facilitated/was complicit in/helped in the killings of Gangacharan Rajbanshi (56), Ashikul Islam (14), and 26 others in the Rampura, Badda, Khilgaon, and Hatirjheel police station areas of Dhaka city, which constitutes crimes against humanity.
Similarly, Junaid Ahmed Palak, under the orders, instructions, approval, and knowledge of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, by completely shutting down nationwide internet services, concealed the horrific crimes against humanity during the July movement from Bangladesh and the world, identified protesters using drones and helicopters, and facilitated/was complicit in/helped in the killings of child Jabir Ibrahim (06), Sanjid Hossain Mridha (16), Samid Hossain (18), and 31 others in the Uttara East and West police station areas of Dhaka city on 05/08/2024, which constitutes crimes against humanity.
On 23/07/2024 at 12:04 and 16:43, regarding the planning, conspiracy, decision-making, and implementation of shutting down/restarting internet services and various apps to suppress the movement, the accused Junaid Ahmed Palak spoke on the telephone with Salman F. Rahman.
On 23/07/2024 at 12:04 during an 11-minute and 2-second conversation, the dialogue was as follows:
Phone call
Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, it has been prima facie proven that the accused Junaid Ahmed Palak, through his direct supervision, issuing instructions to subordinates, providing cooperation, creating opportunities, offering assistance, and through his subordinates, participated in acts of torture and murder, failed to prevent such crimes, and played a role in various other ways in committing such offenses. Accordingly, charges of crimes against humanity under Sections 3(2)(a), (g), (h), 4(1), 4(2), and 4(3) of The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 have been established. These are punishable offenses under Sections 20(2) and 20A of the same Act.
5. Superior Position of the Accused and Joint Liability [Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE) and Command Responsibility]
With the objective of retaining power by any means, Sheikh Hasina, in consultation with her son Sajib Ahmed Wazed Joy on technological matters, planned to suppress the student-public movement by shutting down internet services, using drones to identify the locations of protesters, surrounding them, and, with the help of helicopters, using lethal weapons to carry out shootings and bombings to kill protesters.
In implementing this plan, Sheikh Hasina’s ICT Affairs Adviser, accused Sajib Ahmed Wazed Joy, and accused Junaid Ahmed Palak played key roles. On the instructions and/or approval of Sajib Ahmed Wazed Joy, Junaid Ahmed Palak implemented the plan by slowing down internet speed and shutting down internet services and social media platforms, thereby facilitating and inciting crimes such as killings and torture against students and the public, and remained complicit in such offenses.
As a result of their assistance, law enforcement agencies and armed Awami League cadres across the country carried out torture on the students of Dhaka University. From 17 July to 23 July 2024, in the areas of Rampura, Badda, Khilgaon, and Hatirjheel police stations in Dhaka city, Gongacharan Rajbanshi and Ashikul Islam (14) along with 28 others were shot and killed. On 05 August 2024, in the areas of Uttara East and West police stations in Dhaka city, child Zabiur Ibrahim (6), Sanjid Hossain Mridha (16), Samid Hossain (18), and 31 others were shot and killed. Additionally, from 01 July 2024 to 05 August 2024, during the anti-discrimination student-public movement, more than 1,400 people were killed nationwide, over 25,000 students were seriously injured, and numerous other victims were subjected to torture.
Accused Sajib Wazed Joy and Junaid Ahmed Palak were the principal conspirators, facilitators, instructing authorities, and accomplices in committing these crimes. All these crimes were carried out nationwide on a large scale, systematically, and with predetermined targets.
Sajib Ahmed Wazed Joy, as a close associate of Sheikh Hasina, her son, and then ICT Advisor, and Junaid Ahmed Palak, as the then State Minister of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, used their superior positions and leadership to issue instructions, provide assistance, approve, participate in, and fail to take action against the perpetrators, thereby committing punishable offenses under Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.