ICT-1 disposes of contempt petition

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday disposed of a contempt petition against seven people, including four of private television station Channel 24, making some observations and asking all to be circumspect while commenting on the court issues.
The three-member tribunal also asked the authorities of Channel 24 not to re-telecast the episode of "Muktobak", a talk show, aired on September 18, 2013, in which the guests made some remarks that drew the attention of the prosecution, leading to the filing of the contempt petition.
Three of the seven are participants of the talk show--trustee of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Zafrullah Chowdhury, secretary general of the Centre for Sustainable Development Mahfuz Ullah, and host of the programme and Nagorik Oikya Convener  Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
Zafrullah and Mahfuz had claimed the rights of the then war crimes accused Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury had been violated as the tribunal did not allow him to produce his witnesses.
The tribunal on October 1, 2013 handed down capital punishment to Salauddin.

According to the trial proceedings, Salauddin was given opportunity to produce five defence witnesses but he became able to produce only four.
Yesterday, the tribunal observed that Zafrullah and Mahfuz were highly educated and respected in society, and it was unfortunate that they made such comments without knowing the fact.
Earlier, lawyers representing Channel 24, Manna and Mahfuz apologised to the court.