ZI Khan Panna, the state-appointed lawyer for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, offered an unconditional apology before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday.
He announced that he will not represent Sheikh Hasina in two cases involving crimes against humanity during the Awami League government’s rule.
Eminent lawyer Panna offered his apology after appearing before the ICT-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.
The development came after he publicly declared via a verified Facebook Live on 27 November that he would not represent Hasina in the cases.
He said, “I will not fight on her (Sheikh Hasina’s) behalf in a court she does not trust. I have made this clear through this video message.”
The tribunal had expressed strong displeasure over Panna’s absence after initially accepting the appointment and promptly summoned him. Within ten minutes of the order, he appeared in court and formally requested an apology, stating he would not take up the case.
He said that although officially appointed by the state, he had not yet received any formal letter of assignment. He will submit a formal resignation once he receives the document, he added.
Although the Supreme Court lawyer has withdrawn from Sheikh Hasina’s legal battle, he has pledged to continue providing legal support in other important cases. He confirmed that he will represent his friend, advocate Fazlur Rahman, in a recent court case filed against him.
Later, the ICT-1 appointed Advocate Amir Hossain as the state defence lawyer in the two cases concerning enforced disappearances during the Awami League government’s rule.
