The International Crimes Tribunal has set April 29 by which the 23 noted citizens should submit their reply as to why they shall not be punished for contempt of court.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order on Thursday, reports BSS.
Thursday was set for submitting the reply, but the second tribunal extended the time, accepting two petitions filed by the accused.
The 23 noted citizens are Shireen Huq, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Ali Ahmed Ziauddin, Dr CR Abrar, Farida Akhter, Dr Bina D'Costa, Afsan Chowdhury, Rahnuma Ahmed, Dr Shahidul Alam, Leesa Gazi, Anu Mohammad, Lubna Marium, Dr Zarina Nahar Kabir, Shabnam Nadia, Mahmud Rahman, Nasreen Siraj Annie, Anusheh Anadil, Tibra Ali, Delwar Hossain, Masud Khan, Ziaur Rahman, Hana Shams Ahmed and Muktasree Chakma Sathi.
The ICT 2 on April 1 drew contempt proceedings against these 23, asking them to show cause why they shall not be punished for contempt of court.
Earlier on January 14, the ICT 2 issued contempt notice against 49 "renowned citizens," who had expressed concern through a statement published in the daily Prothom Alo after British journalist and blogger David Bergman's punishment by the tribunal, asking them to explain their statement and conduct.
Based on their explanations, the tribunal on two past dates exonerated 25 from the allegation of committing contempt of court.
On April 1, the tribunal exonerated Rezaur Rahman, from the allegation as he tendered an unconditional apology to the court.
Bergman, a special reports' editor of daily New Age, got the punishment for committing contempt of court on December 2, 2014, for what the court deemed his irrelevant criticism of the trial process on his personal blog and for demeaning the court.
After that, Prothom Alo carried out a report under the heading 'Concern of 50 eminent citizens over Bergman punishment' on December 20.
Later, rights activist Khushi Kabir, whose name was also there, withdrew her statement.