First witness testifies against Joy and Palak over ‘internet blackout killings’
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The first witness has completed testimony and cross-examination in a crimes against humanity case against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son and ICT advisor to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
The pair are accused of orchestrating an internet shutdown to facilitate killings during the 2024 mass uprising.
On Wednesday, Tanvir Hassan Zoha, a prosecutor and special investigation officer of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, testified as the first witness.
In his testimony, Zoha detailed the evidence and exhibits seized for the case, specifying the dates, times, and locations of the seizures.
He also provided a comprehensive account of how digital evidence, including recorded telephone conversations involving Joy and Palak, was gathered.
Following the conclusion of the first witness’s cross-examination, the tribunal scheduled Mar 10 for the next hearing.
Zoha was cross-examined by defence lawyer Aminul Gani Tito on behalf of Palak.
Monjur Alam, a state-appointed defence counsel, conducted the cross-examination for Joy, who remains a fugitive.
Responding to a question from Tito, the witness said the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) provided records related to the case from its own servers.
He noted that before joining the ICT as a prosecutor and special investigator, he served as a trainer for a project under the government’s ICT Division.
Asked by the defence whether he had directly seized any mobile phones or audio-video recordings containing Palak’s voice, the investigation officer replied in the negative.
He, however, clarified: “Call records of former prime minister’s advisor Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq have been seized.
“Palak’s voice appears as the ‘B-party’ (receiver/caller) within those conversations. Forensic examinations have been conducted on all audio files related to this case, including those involving Palak.”
The investigation into these crimes against humanity, concerning the internet blackout during the student-led July-August uprising, commenced on Aug 14, 2024.
Following the inquiry, the prosecution submitted formal charges on Dec 4, 2025.
On Jan 21, Tribunal-1 framed charges against the two suspects.
The prosecution has submitted a list of 32 witnesses to the tribunal for this case.