Lawyer Panna apologises to ICT after summons for ‘no-show’

Senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna has apologised before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) after refusing to act as the state-appointed defence counsel for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case of crimes against humanity linked to custodial torture and enforced disappearances during the Awami League's rule, reports bdnews24.com.

Panna appeared before Tribunal-1 on Wednesday after judges ordered him to be brought in "immediately" during a charge-framing hearing.

Arriving in a wheelchair, Panna reiterated that he could not represent Hasina and apologised for withdrawing despite having previously volunteered to serve as state-appointed defence counsel.

Tribunal head Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder noted that Panna had earlier sought the role and received approval but then failed to attend court, forcing proceedings to continue in his absence. "Now the hearing must be reconvened. The rule is that charges must be heard in the presence of the defence counsel," the tribunal chair said.

Panna replied, "I am physically unwell. I have sent a letter to the registrar's office stating that I cannot appear in this case."

The tribunal also questioned him about a video message in which he allegedly suggested his client did not recognise the tribunal's authority.

"Your client won't appear, you didn't appear either. You yourself expressed interest in serving as counsel, and we issued an order accordingly. If you do not wish to continue, you must come before the tribunal and say so. Moreover, you released a video message commenting that your client does not recognise this court and therefore you don't either. Is it appropriate for you to say such a thing?"

Panna replied, "I offer an unconditional apology."