The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) 2 has set October 13 for passing order on the contempt proceedings drawn against journalist and blogger David Bergman.
The three-member ICT 2, led by Justice Obaidul Hasan, fixed the date after hearing the arguments on Thursday afternoon, reported BSS.
Mizan Sayeed moved for the petitioner while Barrister Mostafijur Rahman Khan stood for Bergman during the hearing.
Mizan Sayed told the Tribunal that the way David, a special reports editor at daily New Age, criticised the trial process on his personal blog, was nothing but contempt of court.
Referring to the ICT act and constitution, the High Court lawyer pleaded for sentencing the accused.
On the other hand, barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan, counsel for Bergman, stood by his old arguments of not specifying the point, where his client allegedly committed contempt of court, by the petitioner.
He also submitted that his client was not served with any prior notice regarding the contempt of court.
Earlier on February 20, the second tribunal in its order asked Bergman to explain his “criticism” of the trial process by appearing before it or through his counsel.
The ICT 2 issued the order after hearing a petition of High Court lawyer Abul Kalam Azad.
Azad filed the petition on February 18, seeking the tribunal's rule upon David as to why contempt proceeding would not be initiated against him for his comments related to war crimes trials and judgments on his blog.
Bergman submitted his reply on March 18, through his counsel saying that the criticism was a fair one and it was to assist the tribunal.
The second tribunal on April 17, initiated contempt proceedings against Bergman as it was not satisfied with the reply submitted by Bergman.
British journalist David Bergmann is a Special correspondent of an English daily, the New age.