Editor of the daily Sangram, along with three others, appeared in person before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) Monday in an alleged contempt of court charge, reports UNB.
On August 3, the tribunal issued a suo moto rule asking Abul Asad, editor of the daily Sangram, mouthpiece of Jamaat-e-Islami, and three others to explain as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be brought against them for publishing statements in the course of war crimes trial defending the detained accused ATM Azharul Islam.
The three other contemnors are M Nuruzzaman, Rangpur correspondent of the Sangram, Ekramul Huq Dulu, ex- unit commander of Muktijoddha Sangsad, Badarganj, Rangpur, and advocate Azizur Rahman.
As the matter came up for hearing before the three-member tribunal, headed by Justice M Enayetur Rahim, advocate AY Masihuzzaman, the counsel for Abul Asad and two others, sought time for submitting the reply to the contempt rule.
Advocate-contemnor Azizur Rahman of Rangpur Bar also made a similar plea separately as he himself will plead his case.
Designated prosecutor Zead Al Malum opposed the time petitions.
Hearing the submissions from both sides, the tribunal, allowing the time petitions, asked the contemnors to submit their replies to it on October 26.
The tribunal, however, dispensed Sangram editor Asad and two others with their personal appearance in the tribunal during hearing.
This is for the second time Sangram editor Abul Asad faces the contempt of court case.
Earlier, on April 26, 2012, ICT-1 sentenced Abul Asad and daily Sangram's Feni correspondent to simple imprisonment till rising of the court and fined Tk 5,000 each for publishing contemptuous report about the tribunal under section 11 (4) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973. The contemnors had served the jail terms for a few minutes as the tribunal rose after delivering the judgment.
