Play store
A social and civic organisation, the State Dialogue Forum (SDF), has filed a complaint with Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against 28 actors, actresses and journalists, accusing them of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July 2024 mass uprising.
The complaint was submitted on Sunday (July 26) to Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam by the organisation’s Central Member Secretary, Al Noor Mohammad Ayas. Others accompanying him included Central Chief Organiser Muhyaman Shah Alam Badsha, Central Organiser Mohasin, and July uprising victim Abu Bakar Siddique, also known as Tuhin Farazi.
Those named in the complaint are actors Asaduzzaman Noor, Azizul Hakim, Ferdous Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Simon Sadik, Zayed Khan, Sazu Khadem, actresses Meher Afroz Shaon, Aruna Biswas, Shomi Kaiser, Rokeya Prachy, Mahiya Mahi, Nipun Akter, Tanvin Sweety, Hridi Haq, Jyotika Jyoti, Sohana Saba, Pia Jannatul, Shamima Tushti, Ashna Habib Bhabna, Hero Alom, Sujata Azim, Chandan Reza, Maria Kispotta, Shanta Farzana, and journalists Anis Alamgir, Momin Mehedi and Soma Islam.
According to the complaint, the accused were allegedly involved in crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising, including incitement to genocide, aiding and abetting, instigation, or other related offences.
The complainants said they sought an impartial, transparent and lawful investigation into the allegations through the International Crimes Tribunal.
Speaking to reporters, Ayas alleged that several of those named in the complaint, including Shanta Farzana and Momin Mehedi, had continued to make remarks critical of the July uprising.
He also claimed that although the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina fell on August 5, some of its alleged supporters were attempting to re-emerge in public life. He said the complaint was filed seeking legal scrutiny of the allegations.
The complaint represents allegations made by the complainants. There has been no ruling by the tribunal on the merits of the allegations, and the individuals named have not been found guilty of any offence.