A complaint has been filed with Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal accusing 27 artists, cultural figures and media personalities of inciting, aiding and abetting alleged crimes committed during the July 2024 mass uprising, prosecutors confirmed on Sunday.

The complaint, submitted to Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam by Al Noor Mohammad Ayas, central member secretary of the State Dialogue Forum (SDF), names former lawmaker and actor Ferdous Ahmed, veteran actor and former cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor, actress and filmmaker Meher Afroz Shaon, film actress Mahiya Mahi, content creator Hero Alom, television presenter Soma Islam, journalist Anis Alamgir and 20 other public figures.

Following the submission, Aminul Islam said the allegations would be investigated and legal action taken if warranted.No charges have been framed, and the tribunal has yet to determine whether the allegations warrant a formal investigation.

According to the complaint, the accused publicly encouraged, supported or directly and indirectly instigated attacks on student protesters and acts of mass violence during the July movement.

The complaint also alleges that some of those named continued to make provocative statements and social media posts targeting participants in the July uprising after the movement ended.

"We demand an impartial, transparent and lawful investigation into these allegations through the International Crimes Tribunal," Ayas told reporters after filing the complaint.

The 27 individuals named in the complaint are:

1. Ferdous Ahmed (actor and former MP for Dhaka-10)

2. Meher Afroz Shaon (actress and filmmaker)

3. Riaz Ahmed (actor)

4. Aruna Biswas (actress)

5. Shamim Ara Nipa/Shamim Kaiser (theatre personality)

6. Rokeya Prachy (actress and director)

7. Mahiya Mahi (film actress)

8. Nipun Akter (film actress)

9. Tanvin Sweety (actress)

10. Hridi Haq (theatre personality)

11. Jyotika Jyoti (actress)

12. Saju Khadem (actor)

13. Sohana Saba (actress)

14. Pia Jannatul (model and lawyer)

15. Shamima Tushti (actress)

16. Hero Alom (actor and content creator)

17. Ashna Habib Bhabna (actress)

18. Simon Sadik (film actor)

19. Sujata Azim (actress)

20. Zayed Khan (film actor)

21. Azizul Hakim (actor)

22. Chandan Reza (actor)

23. Asaduzzaman Noor (veteran actor and former minister for cultural affairs)

24. Maria Kishpatta (model)

25. Shanta Farzana Mobin Mehendi

26. Soma Islam (television presenter, Channel i)

27. Anis Alamgir (journalist)

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