Fazlur Rahman summoned to tribunal on Dec 8

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered BNP leader Fazlur Rahman to appear on December 8 to explain allegations of contempt of court over his comments regarding the verdict against the ousted, death-row former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The order was issued on Sunday, November 30 by a two-member panel led by tribunal chair Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

Earlier, on November 26, the prosecution had brought a contempt allegation against Fazlur Rahman for remarks he made during a talk-show aired on November 23 on private television channel Twentyfour. The 49-minute programme has already been submitted to the tribunal via a pendrive, and portions were played during the hearing.

In the video, Fazlur Rahman was heard saying he does not accept the tribunal or its jurisdiction, adding that he had repeatedly stated the same on YouTube and in other talk-shows. He also claimed the prosecution panel was aligned with a political group.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told the tribunal that Fazlur made the remarks without understanding the tribunal law. When asked for his political identity, the tribunal was informed that Fazlur is an adviser to the BNP chairperson and a candidate for the upcoming national election. The prosecution also noted that the BNP had temporarily suspended him earlier over comments regarding the July revolution.

The tribunal clarified that the law establishing it was enacted in 1973, allowing the trial of crimes against humanity committed before and after that year.