The International Crimes Tribunal has set July 8 for further hearing on the contempt of court case against British journalist and blogger David Bergman. The ICT 2 set the date after Bergman submitted his written reply to a previous tribunal order and the petitioner pleaded for more time to prepare.
On April 17, the tribunal initiated contempt proceedings against Bergman for his “criticism” of the trial process, after it was not satisfied with an earlier explanation by him. The tribunal in its order had asked Bergman to reply as to why he would not be accountable for committing contempt of court and be punished for his contemptuous comments about the order and the judgment of the tribunal.
On February 18, High Court lawyer Abul Kalam Azad filed a petition seeking the tribunal’s rule on why contempt proceeding would not be initiated against Bergman for his comments related to war crimes trials and judgments on his blog.
According to the petitioner, the journalist made the comments in his two blog posts uploaded on November 11, 2011 and January 28, 2013 following the indictment of Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee and death penalty awarded to Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar.
On February 20, the three-member ICT 2, led by Justice Obaidul Hassan, asked Bergman to explain his “criticism” of the trial process by appearing before it or through his counsel.
Bergman submitted his reply on March 18 through his counsel Barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan saying the criticism was a fair one and it was to assist the tribunal. Bergman prayed that considering the facts, circumstances and submissions, the tribunal may be pleased to dispose of the matter upon an acceptance of the explanation.
However, in its order on April 17, the ICT 2 said the tribunal was not convinced with the explanation and asked him to reply why he should not be punished for contempt of court. Following the order, Bergman submitted his reply yesterday through his counsel.