The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Sunday scheduled June 9 to give its verdict in the contempt of court case against three Jamaat-e-Islami central leaders – Selim Uddin, lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Azad and Rafiqul Islam Khan.
The tribunal of Justice Obaidul Hasan, Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Judge M Shahinur Islam fixed the date after watching video footages of public addresses by the trio where they termed the tribunal “controversial,” “dubious” and urged it “not to lose its head.”
Both Selim and Hamidur made the remarks at a rally in Motijheel on February 4 where they also warned the tribunal saying that the judges needed to think before giving any verdicts as they could lead the country into a civil war. Rafiqul spoke along the same lines at a press briefing the day after, where he criticised the tribunal’s procedure.
Defence lawyer Tajul Islam prayed for “unconditional mercy” for his clients. Later, the only one arrested from the three, Jamaat Additional Secretary General Selim, asked permission to give explanations for his remarks.
Selim submitted to the tribunal that the speeches were addressing the government and political remarks. He said he had no intention to hurt the tribunal’s image. “Although, if the tribunal finds me guilty in contempt of court, I beg for mercy.”
While watching the video footage, one of the judges said: “We guess, Mr Selim is now feeling shy about his remarks.”
On February 7, the tribunal asked the three to explain why they should not be charged with contempt. The deadline for response was extended several times before arrest warrants were issued on March 6. It also ordered law enforcers to present them before the court on March 21. On April 10, police admitted their failure to arrest Hamidur and Rafiqul, and on April 21, said those were “fugitives.”
However, “fugitive” Hamidur was present at an 18-party opposition rally in the capital that he addressed in the presence of numerous law enforcers.
