Fazlur Rahman cleared from contempt of court charges

BNP chairperson’s adviser and senior Supreme Court lawyer Fazlur Rahman has been exempted from contempt of court charges after offering an unconditional apology for making disparaging remarks about the International Crimes Tribunal.

On Monday, the order was passed by a three-member bench of Tribunal-1 headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. BNP leader Fazlur Rahman appeared before the tribunal and apologised over the contempt allegations brought against him for his comments.

After 11am, Fazlur Rahman arrived at the International Crimes Tribunal along with a group of lawyers. Senior Supreme Court lawyer and Bar Council vice chairman Zainul Abedin, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal and several others were present. Seeking unconditional apology, Fazlur Rahman told the tribunal, “After Allah, I show my utmost respect towards you.”

The tribunal accepted the apology and exempted him from the contempt charges, saying that such remarks were not expected from someone of his stature.

On November 26, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim had filed a contempt allegation against Fazlur Rahman at Tribunal-1. Later, on November 30, the tribunal directed the BNP leader to appear in person today to explain the matter. Meanwhile, on December 3, Fazlur Rahman apologised in writing over his remarks concerning the tribunal.

Regarding the allegation, the prosecution said on November 26 that on November 23 this year, Fazlur Rahman took part in a talk show aired on Channel 24 where he said about the tribunal, “From the very first day I am saying this, I do not accept this court.”

Later, responding to a question from the presenter, he further said, “Everyone knows it, why will they not know? Listen to my YouTube, I do not accept this court. I do not accept the judgement of this court — I said it on YouTube, I said it on talk shows. If I did not say it before, saying it now is wrong, then I will apologise. Every day I have been saying I do not accept the judgement of this court. Based on the formation process of this court, no trial can take place here.”

Prosecution also said that he made numerous defamatory remarks in the same talk show, though only those related to the court were placed before the tribunal.