Tribunal allows journalist Farzana Rupa to meet her children

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has allowed the two children of former Ekattor Television chief reporter Farzana Rupa, who was arrested in a crimes against humanity case, to meet her. The tribunal issued the order on Thursday, September 3, following an application by Rupa's lawyer.

Farzana Rupa's lawyer, Sifat Mahmud, said his client is currently undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical University due to illness. Permission has been granted for her son and daughter to visit her.

Farzana Rupa is one of the accused in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killings during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on May 5, 2013 . She is among 41 accused in the case, of whom 11, including Rupa, have been arrested .

On July 27, the tribunal took cognisance of formal charges against 40 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two journalists, over allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity related to that operation .

The prosecution alleges that journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque Babu, through Ekattor Television's programme 'Shomikoron', denied the deaths of Hefazat activists, tarnished the organisation's image and broadcast "fabricated" reports to establish the government's narrative, thereby aiding the alleged operation.

The tribunal has ordered 30 fugitives, including Sheikh Hasina, to surrender in the case . Ten accused who are in custody, including four former ministers and state ministers, were produced before the tribunal on Thursday . Rupa was not produced as she was ill . The next hearing in the case is fixed for September 16.