Anisul, Salman seek permission to appoint foreign lawyers

Former law minister Anisul Huq and former adviser to the prime minister Salman F Rahman want to appoint foreign lawyers in a case over crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Their lawyer, Advocate Monsurul Hoque Chowdhury, filed an application before International Crimes Tribunal–1 on Wednesday.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Monsurul Hoque Chowdhury said that his clients need adequate time to appoint foreign counsel, and once the tribunal grants permission, they will apply to the Bar Council.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam opposed the petition, saying that permission must first be obtained from the Bar Council before approaching the tribunal. He noted that previous attempts to appoint foreign lawyers were not approved by the Bar Council.

After hearing both sides, the tribunal observed, “Why do you not go to the Bar Council first, what is the problem?” Tribunal chair Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder said that the law is “made very tight”.

The tribunal scheduled December 17 for the hearing on formal charges. It did not issue an immediate order regarding the appointment of foreign counsel and said a decision will be made later.