Arrest Warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy Over Genocide Allegations

In a dramatic and unprecedented development, the International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the 

ICT adviser and son of the Prime Minister, after formally accepting prosecution allegations that accuse him of committing genocide by orchestrating a nationwide internet shutdown during recent waves of student-led unrest.

According to the prosecution, the blackout severely disrupted emergency communication, prevented access to medical assistance, and contributed to multiple casualties in protest zones, thereby creating conditions that they classify as systematic and widespread violence amounting to crimes against humanity.

Following a detailed preliminary hearing on Thursday, the tribunal determined that the allegations were substantial enough to proceed and ordered Joy’s immediate arrest.

At the same time, the prosecution filed a motion to show State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Zunaid Ahmed Palak as “arrested” in the same case, a request the tribunal will review again on 10 December.

In a separate but equally explosive legal move, the tribunal also accepted charges against Law Minister Anisul Huq and Prime Minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman, alleging that they planned targeted killings by imposing a nationwide curfew during peak protest periods.

Prosecutors claim the curfew intentionally created an environment that facilitated violence against students, and five specific counts of planned killings have been brought against them. The tribunal has ordered both officials to appear in court on 10 December for further proceedings.

Legal analysts describe these actions as one of the most significant escalations in Bangladesh’s recent judicial and political history, noting that charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against sitting state officials are exceptionally rare.

The moves come at a time of intense nationwide tension over protest crackdowns, communication blackouts, and allegations of excessive force. Political reactions have been swift and polarised: opposition groups and student bodies have welcomed the tribunal’s intervention as “essential accountability,” while government-aligned sources dismiss the allegations as politically motivated.

With the next hearing approaching, critical decisions are expected regarding the execution of the arrest warrant against Joy, the legal status of Palak, and the compliance of Anisul Huq and Salman F Rahman with court summons, marking a high-stakes moment for the nation.