Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday, 25 August formally ordered three journalists into judicial custody after showing them arrested in a crimes against humanity case tied to the July 2024 mass protests. The three — Shyamal Dutta, former editor of Bhorer Kagoj; Mozammel Babu, managing director and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV; and the channel's chief correspondent Farzana Rupa — were produced before the tribunal by jail authorities, according to local media reports.

The Allegation Against the Journalists

Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim alleged that provocative statements made by the accused at a 14 July 2024 press conference triggered then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's use of the word 'Razakar' — a term historically associated with collaborators of the 1971 Pakistani military — which subsequently inflamed street protests, according to The Daily Star, Bangladesh's leading English daily.

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

Global Condemnation and Press Freedom Concerns

The ICT's move drew swift and widespread international criticism. Global press freedom organisation Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Bangladeshi authorities to drop the charges and stop 'criminalising' news reporting.

'Launching a crimes-against-humanity case against journalists Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, and Farzana Rupa for simply asking questions at a press conference is outrageous and deeply troubling,' said Kunal Majumder, CPJ's Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator. 'Editorial decisions may be partisan or ethically questionable, but they cannot be criminalized. Criminalizing editorial judgment sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Bangladesh's reputation as a democracy. Authorities must immediately release the three journalists and drop the charges,' he added.

Rights Groups Flag 'Political Retaliation'

International human rights organisation Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed grave concern, calling the application of the 'crimes against humanity' label to journalistic speech 'deeply alarming.' The group argued that such allegations must be backed by credible, individualised evidence meeting stringent requirements under applicable criminal law and international standards.

'Journalism is not a crime. Political disagreement is not a crime. Criticism, questioning, commentary, and even controversial or unpopular expression cannot be transformed into crimes against humanity merely because such expression subsequently becomes politically objectionable,' JMBF stated.

Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, said the pursuit of such proceedings against journalists under the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government raises serious concerns over the use of the criminal justice system as an instrument of 'political retaliation and intimidation.' 'Such a practice is deeply disturbing, incompatible with democratic values, and wholly unacceptable,' he noted.

A Pattern Under Scrutiny

Notably, Islam's remarks drew a comparison with practices reportedly witnessed under the previous Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, suggesting the use of the ICT against media figures may represent a continuing pattern rather than an isolated development. This is the second distinct ICT case in which Babu and Rupa are implicated, raising questions about the cumulative legal pressure being applied to journalists associated with coverage of politically sensitive events.

As international pressure mounts, all eyes will be on whether the BNP-led government moves to review the charges or presses ahead — a decision that analysts say will significantly shape Bangladesh's democratic credentials on the global stage.