The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s chair to remove all ‘fabricated or defamatory’ images and comments allegedly targeting its judges from all media platforms, including social media.
The two-judge bench, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, issued the suo motu order at the outset of Sunday proceedings.
The tribunal also ordered serving copies of the order to the Information Ministry, the Home Ministry, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
The authorities concerned have been asked to submit a compliance report by December 3, 2025.
The tribunal described the circulated contents and images as ‘derogatory, humiliating, and contemptuous.’
It urged all forms of media to exercise their freedom responsibly and publish content without harming the tribunal’s image, status or dignity, and without violating the law
Sources at the ICT Registry said the tribunal judges found several media reports and television talk shows to be ‘derogatory’ and ‘contemptuous’ following its November 17 verdict.
The verdict sentenced deposed prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity during the July–August 2024 mass uprising.
In the same judgment, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who testified as a state witness, received a reduced sentence of five years in prison.
Hasina and Asaduzzaman, both believed to be in hiding in India, were represented in court by state-appointed defence counsel.
Mamun, who remained in custody, did not contest the charges and accepted state representation during the trial.
‘Citizens and the media have full freedom to discuss court activities, but such discussions must comply with the country’s laws and respect the dignity of the judiciary,’ the tribunal added.
The tribunal further said that it had noticed manipulated photos and misleading statements about its judges circulating on social media, television channels, and in print.
It said that some reports suppressed facts, exaggerated information or distorted legal records without proper reference.
The tribunal ordered the ministry and the BTRC to take immediate steps to delete all derogatory content concerning the judges and the tribunal, and to remind media outlets to exercise their freedom responsibly without harming the tribunal’s image.