The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday adjourned until June 19 the hearing in a contempt of court case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leader Shakil Akand Bulbul, granting them additional time to appear and explain their alleged misconduct.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, rescheduled the hearing after both respondents聽 failed to comply with its public notice issued on May 27 through one Bangla-language and one English-language daily, directing them to appear in person.
Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam later told reporters that the tribunal retained the authority to proceed with punitive measures, including sentencing the accused to up to one year in prison or imposing a fine of Tk 5,000 under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 if they failed to appear on the next scheduled date.
The contempt proceedings stem from allegations that Sheikh Hasina, staying in India made provocative and inflammatory remarks during a phone conversation with Gaibandha Awami League leader Shakil Akand Bulbul.
Prosecutors alleged that her remarks incited party activists to engage in subversive activities, including arson attacks, by claiming she had a 鈥榣icence to kill 227 people鈥欌�攁 reference to the number of cases filed against her in connection with the killings perpetrate during the July uprising.
These remarks, prosecutors argue, amounted to obstruction of justice during ongoing war crimes trials linked to the July uprising.
