Complaint lodged against 53 including Hasina, 28 journalists for inciting genocide

Journalists & others including former PM facing charges for inciting genocide during student movement

Dhaka, Aug 29 - 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, Prabash Amin, Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mithila Farzana, Zayadul Ahsan Pintu, Nabanita Chowdhury, Subhash Singh Roy, Ahmed Zobair, Tushar Abdullah Monjurul Islam, Ashish Saikat, Manash Ghosh, Pranab Saha, Masuda Bhatti, Munni Saha, Jo E Mamun, Swadesh Roy, Soma Islam, Shyamal Sarkar, and Ajay Das.

On July 1, 2024, a nationwide movement started by students demanding reforms in the quota system in government jobs. 

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, and law enforcement officials were also named as accused.-UNB