British lawyer Stephen K. Casey has agreed to conduct the defense case for former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, who is accused of enforced disappearance and killings, at the International Crimes Tribunal.
He informed of this decision in a letter sent to the Bangladesh Bar Council on Sunday.
In the letter, Casey states that he is prepared to act as Ziaul Ahsan’s lawyer in accordance with Section 10(8) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973. However, he noted that the matter is dependent on the tribunal’s approval and the finalisation of terms among the concerned parties.
In the letter, Stephen K Casey also highlighted his previous experience, informing of his involvement in judicial proceedings as a lawyer for several accused charged with crimes against humanity from 1971 at the International Crimes Tribunal between 2010 and 2013. Based on that experience, he claims familiarity with the laws and procedures of the tribunal.
Ziaul Ahsan’s lawyer Nazneen Nahar confirmed the matter to TIMES. She said, “Stephen K Casey has agreed to conduct the defense case upon the accused’s request, and a formal letter has been sent to the Bangladesh Bar Council in this regard. If the Bar Council approves, we will proceed to the next step of the legal process.”
Bangladeshi law allows foreign lawyers to appear and conduct cases at the International Crimes Tribunal, but prior permission from the Bangladesh Bar Council is required.
Earlier, on 14 January, ICT framed three charges against Ziaul Ahsan regarding incidents of enforced disappearance and killings that occurred during the previous Awami League government.
According to the prosecution’s claim, from 2009 to 2016, Ziaul Ahsan served as the Director of RAB’s Intelligence Division and as Additional Inspector General (Operations). During this time, he was directly involved in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and the charges state that RAB members committed these crimes under his orders and approval.
