The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the start of the trial against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, issued the order on January 21, 2026, after forming charges in a case related to crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The decision followed hearings held on January 15, where both prosecution and defense presented arguments.

According to the case, on July 14, 2024, Palak allegedly made an inciting statement on Facebook under Joy’s direction, leading to violent attacks the next day on protesters at Dhaka University and other locations by police and armed groups. The charges include incitement to violence, aiding killings, and involvement in 34 murders in Uttara. The prosecution had earlier submitted formal charges on December 4, and the tribunal had ordered Joy to surrender through newspaper notices on December 10.

The tribunal’s order marks the formal beginning of proceedings in one of the key cases arising from the July 2024 events, with both defendants facing serious allegations of crimes against humanity.