Former state minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak has been diagnosed with serious complications in his neck and lower back following a prison van accident while being transported to the International Crimes Tribunal, according to his lawyer.
Speaking on Tuesday, Palak’s lawyer Tarikul Islam said an MRI scan was conducted at Bangladesh Medical University Hospital after a court application and directives from prison authorities following the incident.
The MRI report was handed over to the defence team on Tuesday.
According to the lawyer, the report identified complications in the L-2, L-3 and L-4 vertebrae in Palak’s lower back. It also detected complex issues in the C-5/6 and C-6/7 discs of his neck.
“Palak had already been suffering from health problems,” Tarikul Islam said. “When I visited him in prison last Saturday, he was unable to move his neck properly. Although the MRI report clearly indicates problems in his neck and lower back, he has yet to receive the necessary medical treatment.”
He added that the defence would file an application with the court seeking proper medical treatment for Palak.
Questioning the circumstances surrounding the prison van accident, the lawyer said, “We have doubts about whether this was merely an accident or a planned incident. No investigation committee has been formed so far regarding the matter.”
The proceedings are related to a case currently being heard at International Crimes Tribunal-1 against Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Testimony in the case began last Wednesday.
While Sajeeb Wazed Joy remains absconding, Palak has been arrested and is currently in prison.
