The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has summoned two Supreme Court lawyers over Facebook posts that expressed contempt regarding a recent court verdict.
The tribunal on Wednesday ordered advocates Hasanuzzaman Tushar and Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury to appear in person on 23 September to explain the contempt of court charges brought against them.
The allegations stem from comments posted about the death penalty verdict handed down to seven individuals, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, for crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.
Confirming the matter, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim added that the prosecution filed contempt charges against the two lawyers for making derogatory remarks about the tribunal’s judgment.
He explained that while the prosecution, under instructions from the chief prosecutor, generally ignores adverse remarks made by public, formal action was taken against Tushar and Hasan because they are Supreme Court advocates who understand the law and the court’s dignity.
Despite this awareness, the two advocates published contemptuous comments against the judgment.
The summons relates to a verdict delivered on 15 September, in which International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced seven top leaders of the Awami League and its associate organisations to death for crimes against humanity during the July Uprising.
Alongside Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, the death-row convicts are –Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain, and Chhatra League General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
In the same ruling, the court ordered the forfeiture of half of all movable and immovable assets belonging to five of the convicts, excluding Chhatra League leaders Saddam and Enan.
The tribunal directed that funds raised from selling the confiscated properties be disbursed as appropriate compensation to the families of those martyred and injured during the July Uprising. All seven death-row convicts are currently absconding.
