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Two pro-Awami League lawyers have sought an unconditional apology before the International Crimes Tribunal after describing the death sentences handed down to seven people, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, as a “kangaroo court verdict” in a crimes against humanity case.
The lawyers appeared in person before International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday morning, October 26, and apologised unconditionally. After the hearing, the tribunal is expected to decide how serious the contempt of court allegations against them are.
Security has been tightened in the tribunal area in connection with the case. Hearings in all cases before Tribunal-2 have also been cancelled, while access for lawyers has been restricted.
The two accused lawyers are Hasanuzzaman Tushar and Hasan Chowdhury. A hearing in the case had been scheduled for September 23 but was postponed because one of the judges was ill. The two lawyers appeared before the tribunal that day as well to explain the contempt allegations. Several other pro-Awami League lawyers accompanied them, but not everyone was allowed to enter due to security concerns.
On September 15, the tribunal sentenced seven people to death in a crimes against humanity case, including Awami League leaders Obaidul Quader, A F M Bahauddin Nasim and Mohammad Ali Arafat. The Awami League is currently banned from political activities.
The prosecution brought contempt of court charges against the two lawyers on September 16, alleging that they had made derogatory comments about the verdict on social media.
According to the prosecution, such remarks by lawyers could create misleading perceptions of the court among the public, prompting the contempt proceedings.
Attention is now focused on the tribunal’s decision following the two lawyers’ unconditional apology.
