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Two British lawyers have applied for permission to represent journalist Farzana Rupa before Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal in a case related to the 2013 Shapla Chattar killings.
Jonathan Price KC and Nikila Kaushik, both from London-based Doughty Street Chambers, have sought permission to defend Rupa, who is facing proceedings before International Crimes Tribunal-2.
Rupa’s lawyer, Barrister Mahbub Shafique, submitted a formal application to the Bangladesh Bar Council on Tuesday, October 13, seeking approval for the two British lawyers to appear in the case.
According to Shafique, the lawyers had initially sent their applications to the Bar Council by email on October 1.
The formal application requests an urgent decision, as the tribunal has scheduled a hearing on the framing of charges against Rupa for November 1.
The application cites Section 11(8) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which allows foreign lawyers to appear before the tribunal subject to prior approval from the Bangladesh Bar Council.
Bar Council Secretary Mohammad Kamal Hossain Sikder said such applications would be placed before the council for review and a decision.
Rupa and her husband, Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at Ekattor Television, were arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on August 21, 2024, while preparing to leave the country.
They were subsequently implicated in several murder cases.
In May 2026, the High Court granted them interim bail in multiple cases, but the Supreme Court later stayed those orders in June.
The latest application comes as proceedings against Rupa continue before the International Crimes Tribunal.
