ZI Khan Panna removed as Hasina's state defence
After appearing at the tribunal around 12pm, he asked for an unconditional pardon and asked to be removed as the state counsel.
Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna, who failed to appear at the scheduled hearing, has been removed as Sheikh Hasina's state defence at the International Crimes Tribunal after seeking unconditional pardon today (3 December).
He was summoned to the tribunal for failing to appear at the hearing at 11am to represent fugitive Sheikh Hasina in a separate case of enforced disappearance, murder and torture, which involves allegations of crimes against humanity.
After appearing at the tribunal around 12pm, he asked for an unconditional pardon and asked to be removed as the state counsel. Following his request, the tribunal removed him as the state defence for Hasina and appointed a new state defence.
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Earlier, on 23 November, he had applied to represent Sheikh Hasina at the tribunal. The tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder and two other members, approved his application and appointed him as state defence.
On 27 November, he posted on his verified Facebook account that Sheikh Hasina has no trust in the International Crimes Tribunal. He wrote that he cannot and should not defend anyone in a court Sheikh Hasina has no faith in, calling it unethical.
In this case, the hearing on framing charges was initially conducted by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam. During the hearing, the tribunal called state defence lawyer ZI Khan Panna by phone and asked him to come. Panna was brought in on a wheelchair with other lawyers.
The tribunal paused the prosecution's hearing to hear from Panna. They asked if he was well and reminded him that he had been appointed to represent Sheikh Hasina, questioning why he had not appeared. Panna replied that he was physically unwell but had sent a letter to the registrar's office explaining he would not participate in the case.
The tribunal told him that since his client would not appear, he also need not attend, but as someone appointed voluntarily as a lawyer, he must report his decision in person. They also asked about his video message stating that Sheikh Hasina did not recognise the tribunal and whether he shared that view. Panna responded by offering an unconditional apology.
When the tribunal asked if he would represent the case, he said no. The tribunal sought advice on whom to appoint in his place.
Since no name was suggested, Md Amir Hossain, who had previously represented Sheikh Hasina in this case, was appointed as the new state defence lawyer.
