Two lawyers appear before ICT to explain Facebook remarks on verdict

Two Supreme Court lawyers appeared before International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday (September 23) to explain Facebook remarks that the prosecution alleged were contemptuous of the tribunal’s verdict sentencing Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six others to death.

Advocates Hasanuzzaman Tushar and Barrister Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury appeared before the tribunal shortly after 11am.

The hearing was scheduled before a bench headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

The prosecution filed a contempt petition against the two lawyers on September 16, alleging that they made disparaging comments on Facebook after the tribunal delivered the death sentences on September 15.

The tribunal subsequently directed them to appear in person and explain their statements.

According to the prosecution, Tushar and Hasan Chowdhury separately posted comments criticising the verdict and the tribunal. The prosecution argued that the remarks could amount to contempt of court, while the tribunal said it would hear the lawyers’ explanations before deciding the matter.

Meanwhile, lawyers aligned with the Awami League gathered outside the main gate of the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday morning to protest the contempt proceedings against the two lawyers.