DHAKA: International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 sentenced Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, for one hour imprisonment and fined Tk 5,000 for the contempt of court by issuing statement against its order.

The three-member ICT-2, headed by its chairman Justice Obaidul Hasan, passed the order on Wednesday.

As per order of the tribunal, Dr Zafrullah has to stand at the dock for one hour and pay Tk 5,000, in default, will have to serve a further prison sentence for one month.

The court, on December 2 last year, sentenced David Bergman, editor (special reports) at daily New Age, to imprisonment until the court session ends and fined him Tk 5,000 for two articles he posted on his personal blog, which demeaned the court.

After that, Prothom Alo carried out a report under the heading 'Concern of 50 eminent citizens over Bergman punishment' on December 20, 2014.

On January 14, the tribunal asked the 49 personalities to explain by January 27 regarding their statement.

In compliance with the court order, 25 dignitaries apologized in three phases while one of the signatories in the statement, Khushi Kabir, later withdrew her name.

BDST: 1241 HRS, JUN 10, 2015
RS/RR