ICT-1 in newspaper ads asks Sheikh Hasina, Bulbul to appear on 3 June

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today (26 May) published advertisements on two national dailies, asking ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader Shakil Akand Bulbul to appear before it on June 3. 

The advertisements were published on daily Jugantor and daily New Age today, summoning the former premier and Bulbul to give explanations over a contempt of court application brought against them by the prosecution of the tribunal.

Confirming the matter to newsmen, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said, "Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina obstructed the (ICT) investigation through issuing threats and delivering hate speeches on various occasions. A contempt of court application was filed by the prosecution with the ICT-1 in this connection."

Following the application, the ICT-1 had issued a contempt of court notice against accused Sheikh Hasina and Shakil Akand Bulbul. The two were supposed to appear before the tribunal on May 25, but they failed to do so. 

"The tribunal yesterday (May 25) issued an order, giving them another opportunity to appear before it. The tribunal in its order directed to publish advertisements on two widely circulated national dailies, asking the two accused to appear before it within seven days. Following the order, the advertisements were published in two national dailies," Tamim added.

The prosecutor said the prosecution believes if the two accused appear before the tribunal on next scheduled date and submit their explanations, they will get justice, but if they fail to do so once again, tribunal will be able to take action against them as per the law.

Advocate Tamim also reminded the fact that anyone found involved in obstructing the trial, threatening the witnesses or the victims, or hindering the activities of the tribunal, can be sentenced to one year jail and fined Taka 5,000 under the concerned act.