Journalists Ordered to Appear in Crimes Against Humanity Case Linked to July Uprising

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered three journalists to appear in court on August 24 as part of a crimes against humanity case connected to the July 2024 uprising. The journalists named are Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, and Farzana Rupa.

The prosecution contends that these journalists played a role in inciting the unrest by allegedly helping to create a "counter-narrative" against the student movement. This alleged action occurred between July 14 and August 5, 2024, following a press conference held at the prime minister's official residence. During this conference, remarks were made regarding a visit to China and the sensitive quota issue.

Specifically, the prosecution claims the journalists abetted alleged crimes committed at the July 14 press conference. At that event, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly made comments about the quota issue and referred to protesters as "Razakars," a term the students found disparaging and which reportedly triggered protests later that night.

Mozammel Babu, formerly the managing director and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV, and Farzana Rupa, the channel's principal correspondent, are implicated. Shyamal Dutta, the editor of Bhorer Kagoj and a former general secretary of the Jatiya Press Club, is also named in the order. Notably, Babu and Rupa are already facing trial in a separate crimes against humanity case related to the 2013 crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam activists.