Tribunal orders newspaper notice summoning Joy in war crimes case

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has directed that a public notice be published in national newspapers summoning Sajeeb Wazed Joy to appear before the court in a case involving alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.

A three-member bench, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder, alongside Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, passed the order on Wednesday (December 10).

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam informed the tribunal that Joy, one of the two accused in the case, has been on the run. He requested permission to publish a summons in newspapers, a plea the tribunal granted. The prosecution has been asked to update the court on December 17 after the notice is published.

The other accused, former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, is already under arrest and was produced before the tribunal during the hearing.

Palak’s lawyer, M. Liton Ahmed, complained that his client’s phone call and family visitation privileges in prison were abruptly withdrawn after he chanted “Joy Bangla” and sang the national anthem. In response, the tribunal said it would issue a general directive to ensure proper enforcement of prison rules.

Formal charges against both Joy and Palak were submitted on December 4, marking a major step forward in the politically sensitive case.