ICT Gets Complaint Against 28 Media Figures Over July Killings

The State Dialogue Forum (SDF) on Sunday filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), accusing 28 prominent figures from Bangladesh's cultural and media sectors of alleged involvement in crimes committed during the July 2024 mass uprising.

SDF Central Member Secretary Al Noor Mohammad Ayas submitted the complaint to ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam.

SDF Central Chief Organiser Muhammad Shah Alam Badsha, Central Organiser Mahasin, and July movement victims Abu Bakar Siddique (Tuhin Farazi) and Tamim Hasan were present during the submission.

Those named in the complaint include actors Ferdous Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Aruna Biswas, Shomi Kaiser, Mahiya Mahi, Nipun Akter, Tanvin Sweety, Hridi Haq, Jyotika Jyoti, Saju Khadem, Sohana Saba, Simon Sadik, Zayed Khan, Azizul Hakim and Chandan Reza; actress and filmmaker Meher Afroz Shaon; actresses Rokeya Prachy, Shamima Tusti, Ashna Habib Bhabna and Sujata Azim; model and lawyer Pia Jannatul; model Maria Kispotta; journalists Anis Alamgir, Soma Islam and Shanta Farzana; Mobin Mehedi; television personality Hero Alom; and former cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor.

According to the complaint, the accused were allegedly involved in crimes against humanity during the July Uprising, including incitement to genocide, aiding and abetting, instigation and other related offences.

The SDF said it submitted the complaint seeking an impartial, transparent and lawful investigation by the ICT into the allegations.

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam confirmed receiving the complaint.

"I have received the written complaint, but I have not yet examined its contents. The complaint will be forwarded to the investigation agency, which will investigate the allegations," he said.