Bangladesh Tribunal Sends 3 Journalists to Jail in July 2024 Protest Case

August 25, 2026

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered three journalists to be sent to jail after formally showing them arrested in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July 2024 demonstrations, according to local media reports.

The three journalists are former Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, Ekattor TV Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Mozammel Babu, and its Chief Correspondent Farzana Rupa. All three were already in custody and were produced before the tribunal on Monday by jail authorities.

Journalists Accused Over July 2024 Events

During the proceedings, prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim alleged that provocative statements made by the accused during a press conference on July 14, 2024, contributed to then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks referring to protesters as “Razakar”. The remarks were followed by widespread demonstrations, according to local media reports.

Babu and Rupa are also facing trial in a separate crimes against humanity case related to the 2013 crackdown on a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel and Narayanganj.

The tribunal had earlier instructed jail authorities to produce the three journalists before it in connection with the July 2024 protest-linked case.

Rights Groups Raise Concerns

The proceedings have drawn criticism from international press freedom and human rights organisations.

Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed concern over what it described as the use of the “crimes against humanity” label in connection with journalistic speech, questioning, commentary and political narratives.

The organisation said allegations carrying such serious charges should be supported by credible and individualised evidence meeting applicable criminal law and international standards.

JMBF Founder President Shahanur Islam also raised concerns over what he described as the potential use of criminal proceedings for political retaliation and intimidation.

CPJ Calls for Charges to Be Dropped

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) last week called on Bangladeshi authorities to drop the case against the three journalists and stop what it described as the criminalisation of journalism.

CPJ Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunal Majumder said that editorial decisions and journalistic work should not be treated as crimes against humanity.

The latest development comes amid continued scrutiny of Bangladesh’s treatment of journalists and press freedom following the political upheaval surrounding the July-August 2024 protests.