A complaint has been filed with the International Crimes Tribunal against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 52 others, including 28 journalists, for inciting genocide during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The complaint was lodged with the tribunal's investigation agency by Supreme Court lawyer Gazi H M Tamim on behalf of Abdur Razzak, father of Nasib Hasan Riyan, a student killed during the protests.
The journalists include Mozammel Babu, Saiful Alam, Noyeem Nizam, Farida Yasmin, Shyamol Dutta, Abed Khan, Prabash Amin, Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mithila Farzana, Zayedul Ahsan Pintu, Nabanita Chowdhury, Subhash Singh Roy, Ahmed Zobair, Tushar Abdullah, Monjurul Islam, Ashish Saikat, Manash Ghosh, Pranab Saha, Masuda Bhatti, Munni Saha, J.E. Mamun, Swadesh Roy, Soma Islam, Shyamal Sarkar, and Ajay Das.
According to the complaint, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina made provocative statements during a press conference on July 14, ordering action against the protesters. She instructed law enforcement agencies and leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations to suppress the movement.
These instructions, the complaint alleges, were published in national and international media, leading to widespread violence.
The complaint further accused the journalists of participating in this incitement.
During the press conference, several journalists allegedly encouraged Sheikh Hasina with provocative questions, labeling the protesting students as "collaborators" and "terrorists." Their questioning, the complaint states, incited further aggression against the students.
Former ministers, law enforcement officials were also named as accused.
BSS adds: A case was registered here today against 54 persons, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former law minister Anusil Huq, former housing and public works minister RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhuy and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, on the charges of murder.
The case was lodged against 54 named and 200-300 unnamed persons with Brahmanbaria Model Sadar Police Station in connection with shooting to death of Zahirul Islam on March 27 in 2021 centering the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh.
Brahmanbaria district Awami League vice-presidents, municipality mayor Md Helal Uddin and Dr Abu Sayed, general secretary Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury Montu, joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Khokon, organizing secretary Ehtashemul Bari Tanjil, former lawmaker Mainuddin Main, Tanjil Ahmed, Ashuganj AL president Shafiulah, senior vice-president Hanif Munshi, district Jubo League president Shahanur Islam, general secretary Sirajul Islam Ferdous, Brahmanbaria district government college VP Hasan Sarwar, former chairman of Bijoynagar Upazila Mukai Ali and Brahmanbaria Poura AL general secretary Rafiqul Islam were named among the accused in the case.
In accordance with the case details filed by Bablu Mia, elder brother of slain Zahirul Islam, alleged that his brother was shot dead on the spot in front of the BSIC at Nandanpur under Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila at the directive and participation of the accused while taking part in a protest over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh on March 17 in 2021.
Officer-in-charge of the police station Mozaffar Hossain confirmed BSS of the matter.
