Joy and Palak Accused of Ordering Internet Blackout to Conceal July Genocide

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam informed the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) that Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak ordered a nationwide internet shutdown to hide evidence of genocide during the July uprising.

On Wednesday, the two-member Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, presented the opening statement against Joy—son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—and Palak. The prosecution has formally charged them with orchestrating the blackout to facilitate and cover up mass killings. The tribunal has scheduled witness testimony for February 25.

Speaking to journalists on the tribunal premises, Tajul Islam identified Joy and Palak as "masterminds" of the July atrocities. He alleged that as heads of the ICT sector, they executed a plan to isolate the country from the world. The Chief Prosecutor further noted that Palak reportedly consulted with former Private Industry Affairs Adviser Salman F. Rahman to coordinate these efforts. The prosecution stated that evidence of these conspiracies has been documented and submitted to the court.