The fifth witness against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak in the case of crimes against humanity for the massacre by shutting down the internet during the July uprising is scheduled to testify on Sunday.
The testimony is scheduled to be taken on Sunday by a judicial panel led by International Crimes Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder.
An official of Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited will testify as the fifth witness for the state. His name has not been disclosed for security reasons. The defense lawyers will complete the cross-examination of an official of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, who testified as the fourth witness earlier.
Palak is in jail after being arrested in the case. State-appointed lawyer Manjur Alam is continuing the legal battle on behalf of Joy as he is absconding.
According to the prosecution's allegations, Palak made a provocative speech on Facebook on the night of July 14, 2024, at the behest of Joy. The next day, on July 15, armed members of the police, Awami League and Chhatra League attacked protesters at various places including Dhaka University. They have also been charged with inciting, provocating and aiding in the killing of protesters by shutting down the internet.
The charges state that at least 28 people, including Russell and Mosleh Uddin, were killed in these incidents. In addition, there are allegations of aiding in the killing of 34 more people in Uttara.
On January 21 this year, the tribunal ordered the trial to begin by framing charges. Earlier, the court took into account the formal charges submitted by the prosecution on December 4 last year.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
