War crimes tribunal clears another of contempt

International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday cleared of contempt of court charge another eminent person,the 25th among 49 who had in a statement expressed concern over the sentence of Dhaka-based British journalist David Bergman for demeaning it.

Led by Justice Obaidul Hassan with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam, the tribunal also fixed April 1 to pass further order on the remaining 24 signatories.

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Now abroad, Dina M Siddiqi, through the foreign ministry, tendered her unconditional apology, as had expressed the previous 24 for the statement, said the tribunal sources.

On December 2, 2014, the tribunal found Bergman, editor (special reports) of New Age, guilty of contempt for two of his blog posts of January 2013 on the verdict of Abul Kalam Azad, known as Bachchu Razakar.

He was sentenced to imprisonment "till rising of the court" that day and fined Tk 5,000.

On December 20, 2014, the daily Prothom Alo ran a report titled "50 people express concern over Bergman's punishment" on the basis of the statement, which observed that the tribunal's order would restrict freedom of expression.

One signatory, Khusi Kabir, later withdrew her name.