The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday removed Dhaka-based lawyer Aminul Gani Titu as the state defence counsel for ousted prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and the party leader Shakil Akand Bulbul in a contempt of court case.
The tribunal of Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood, and retired judge Md Muhitul Hoque Anam Chawdhury, removed Titu and cancelled his appointment stating that the decision was made to avoid 鈥榗onflict of interest鈥� and to 鈥榚nsure justice鈥�.
Hasina鈥檚 son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in a recent Facebook post criticised Titu鈥檚 appointment as a state defence counsel for his mother, saying that Titu, in a Facebook post earlier, had demanded a death sentence for her mother.
On June 19, the tribunal appointed Titu to represent both Hasina and Gobindaganj Awami League leader Shakil.
During Wednesday鈥檚 contempt proceeding, the tribunal asked Titu whether he had posted the controversial Facebook status. In response, Titu admitted to making the post on August 5, 2024, shortly before the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led regime amid a mass uprising.
Titu told the tribunal that the post reflected his personal opinion and assured that it would not influence his role in the contempt case.
The tribunal then replaced Titu with his fellow friend, lawyer Amir Hossain, to defend Hasina and Shakil.
Amir Hossain is known for his affiliation with the Awami League. He served as the special public prosecutor of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-8 until the law ministry cancelled the appointments of all prosecutors of the ousted Awami League regime through a single notification, months after the interim government assumed power on August 8, 2024.
Earlier on Tuesday, the tribunal appointed Amir Hossain as the state defence counsel for Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman in a case of crimes against humanity committed across the country during the July-August 2024 mass uprising.
The tribunal on Wednesday also directed Supreme Court lawyer AY Mashiuzzaman, who appeared before it responding to a request, to submit a written statement by July 2, offering his opinion as amicus curiae on whether Hasina鈥檚 speech constitutes contempt of court.
Mashiuzzaman was also formally appointed as amicus curiae to assist the tribunal in determining the legal implications of Hasina鈥檚 comments.
Prosecutors alleged that Hasina鈥檚 remarks incited party supporters to commit acts of sabotage, including arson, to undermine the tribunal鈥檚 proceedings.
On April 30, the tribunal issued contempt notices against Hasina and Shakil following a petition from chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, who described their comments as contemptuous and disruptive to the July 2024 uprising case.
Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hosasin Tamim, Shahidul Islam Sarder and Md Saimum Talukder Pias represented the state.
