The International Crimes Tribunal has appointed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) to ensure transparency in the contempt of court proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Senior Supreme Court lawyer A Y Mashiuzzaman has been designated for this role.
The order was issued on Thursday, June 19, by a three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.
The hearing for the contempt of court case was scheduled for today. The co-accused in the case is Shakil Akand Bulbul, also known as Md Shakil Alam, a 40-year-old resident of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha district.
The contempt charges stem from an audio clip that circulated online, where Sheikh Hasina was allegedly heard saying, "We have received a license to kill 226 people."
Based on this, the Chief Prosecutor of the Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, filed the contempt petition against Sheikh Hasina and Shakil Akand Bulbul.
Earlier, on April 30, the tribunal ordered both accused to appear in person on May 25 to provide explanations regarding the allegations.
However, neither appeared on the scheduled date nor submitted any explanation through their legal representatives.
Following their absence, the tribunal directed that public notices be issued in two newspapers, summoning them to appear before the court on June 3 to respond to the charges. The notices were published the next day.
The tribunal has now taken steps to proceed with the case, appointing the amicus curiae to assist the court in ensuring a fair trial.
