'If ministers, justices can appear before court, why can't you': Tribunal asks army officers seeking virtual attendance
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has not issued a decision on a petition filed by 13 army officers – arrested in two crimes against humanity cases – seeking permission to attend court proceedings virtually instead of appearing in person.
A three-member ICT-1 bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar held a hearing earlier this morning (23 November), during which the officers were produced before the court in connection with cases involving enforced disappearances, killings, and other crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Awami League government's tenure.
After their production before the tribunal, defence lawyer Maidul Islam Polok submitted an application to the ICT registrar's office on behalf of several accused officers requesting that they be allowed to attend subsequent hearings virtually.
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Earlier, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Hamidul Mezbah had also placed a similar petition before the court, asking that the officers be permitted to appear virtually rather than in person.
During the hearing on the matter, the tribunal remarked, "The law is equal for everyone. Former justices of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, as well as former ministers and members of parliament, have appeared before this court as accused. Are they [the army officers] exempt from that?"
The tribunal added that if the defence wished to pursue a full hearing on the virtual-appearance request, it would be scheduled for a later date.
At that time, the court further said, "If you express your inability in this regard, we will speak to the relevant authorities of the government and take necessary steps."
