Complained filed with ICT against 52 including Hasina, 32 senior journos

A complaint has been filed with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against 52 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 32 journalists, for their alleged involvement in the massacre that occurred during the anti-discrimination student movement.

The complaint, filed by lawyer Gazi H Tamim on behalf of Md Golam Razzak, father of Nasif Hasan Riyad who was killed during the protest, was submitted at the ICT's investigation agency office in Dhanmondi, on Thursday (August 29).

The lawyer said that the 32 senior journalists are accused of inciting the massacre by meeting with the prime minister on August 3 and encouraging the continuation of the killings.

The journalists named in the complaint include Nayeemul Islam Khan, former Press Secretary to PM; Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former Information Advisor to PM; Farida Yasmin, president of National Press Club; Shyamal Dutt, general secretary, National Press Club; Mozammel Babu, CEO and chief editor, Ekattor TV; Nabanita Chowdhury, journalist and TV presenter; Subhash Singh Roy, editor, AB News24.com; Ahmed Jubair, MD, Somoy TV; Tushar Abdullah, former news editor, Somoy TV; Saiful Alam, CEO, DBC News; Naim Nizam, editor, Bangladesh Pratidin; Abed Khan, former editor, Samakal; Prabhas Amin, head of news, ATN News; Farzana Rupa, former principal correspondent, Ekattor TV; Shakil Ahmed, head of news, Ekattor TV; Mithila Farzana, head and current affairs, Ekattor TV; Jahedul Hasan Pintu, editor, DBC News; Manjurul Islam, chief editor, DBC Newds; Ashish Saikat, chief news editor, Independent TV; Manas Ghosh, head of news, Asia TV; Pranab Saha, DBC; Masuda Bhatti, former information commissioner of Bangladesh; Munni Saha, former chief executive editor, ATN News; JE Mamun, former chief executive editor, ATN Bangla; Swadesh Roy, executive editor; Daily Janakantha; Soma Islam, Channel I; Shyamal Sarkar, Ittefaq; Ajay Das, Samakal; and Ashraful Alam Khokon, former deputy press secretary to PM.

Allegations of crimes against humanity and genocide have been charged against the accused under clause 3(2) and 4(1)/4(2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals)b Act, 1973.