Arrest Warrant Issued for Sajeeb Wazed Joy by Bangladesh's ICT

Post by : Raina Nasser

The International Crime Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has taken significant action by issuing an arrest warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This warrant is in connection with accusations of crimes against humanity linked to the student-led protests against the government in July 2024. Joy is specifically charged with using internet shutdowns to prevent demonstrators from effectively organizing, a tactic deemed repressive by authorities.

The ICT-1 panel, presided over by Justice Golam Mortaza along with Justices Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, issued the order. Notably, the case implicates former State Minister for Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam confirmed that Joy is facing allegations of crimes against humanity directly tied to his actions during the demonstrations.

This development follows a series of legal challenges faced by Sheikh Hasina's family. Just days ago, a court in Dhaka handed Hasina a five-year prison sentence on corruption charges. Her sister, Sheikh Rehana, was sentenced to seven years, while her niece, Tulip Siddique, also received a two-year sentence. The allegations revolve around the illegal allocation of government land in Dhaka's Purbachal district.

Additionally, the ICT has previously sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death for the killings of students involved in last year’s protests. The duo has consistently dismissed the tribunal's processes as unjust. Sheikh Hasina fled to India during the unrest on August 5, 2024, while Joy is currently based in the United States.

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has initiated these proceedings against Sheikh Hasina and her family, aiming to hold them accountable for their actions during the protests. The warrant against Joy represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of Sheikh Hasina's administration and the seemingly escalating legal pressures on her family.

Given the serious nature of the charges against them, the actions of Bangladesh’s ICT—including the recent warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy—have garnered significant international attention, highlighting the serious issues related to governmental repression of civil protests and human rights.