The International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant against Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury for failing to submit a fine of Tk5,000 in conviction of contempt of court.
Tribunal 2 issued the arrest warrant on Thursday afternoon.
However, the arrest is unusual as the Supreme Court has stayed Zafrullah's fine until July 5.
Tribunal's acting deputy registrar Aftafuzzaman said: “Zafrullah was asked to submit the fine by June 17. The tribunal has issued the warrant as the date of his fine submission has already expired.”
On June 16, the Supreme Court stayed until July 5 the tribunal’s verdict that fined Zafrullah, a freedom fighter, Tk5,000 for his statement on the punishment of Dhaka-based British journalist David Bergman.
However, the deputy registrar said they did not receive any copy of the stay order.
On June 10, the tribunal found Zafrullah guilty of contempt of court and imprisoned him in the dock.
The tribunal also said Zafrullah will have to serve a month in prison if he fails to submit the fine.
Zafarullah, a Magsaysay award-winner, filed a petition with the SC seeking a stay on the fine.