DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 accepted the apology tendered by advocate Tajul Islam and convinced with explanations of three leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami in reply to show-cause notice for making adverse comment over its judgment.

The ICT has also brought contempt of court charges against two leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir and issued a rule asking them to explain by May 24 why punitive actions would not be taken against them.

A three-member ICT team, headed by its chairman M Enayetur Rahim, on Monday passed the orders mentioning that they are not convinced with the explanations of Shibir leaders.

The exonerated leaders are Jamaat’s acting Ameer Makbul Ahmed, acting Nayeb-e-ameer Mahibur Rahman and acting secretary general Dr Shafiqur Rahman.

The show-caused leaders include Shibir president Abdul Jabbar and its general secretary Mohammad Atikur Rahman.

On April 15, lawyers Moshiuzzaman and Tariquzzaman stood for five Jamaat-Shibir leaders after submitting explanations of them in reply to show-cause notice.

On January 28, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders’ lawyer advocate Tajul Islam apologized before the ICT-1 unconditionally.

Supreme Court Lawyers’ Association general secretary Barrister Badruddoza Badal and Advocate Ruhul Kuddus Kajal submitted Tajul’s written explanation with apology unconditionally.

On January 12, the ICT issued show-cause notice to five leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir along with their lawyer Advocate Tajul Islam.

The ICT asked them to explain by January 28 why contempt of court proceedings should not be moved against them for their statements given to the media on the verdict of death penalty of Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam.

On December 30, ATM Azhar was sentenced to death on three charges of genocide, mass killing and crimes against humanity during the country’s war of independence in 1971.

The ICT accused them of contempt of court as they imposed hartal for December 31 and January 1 protesting the verdict of the tribunal and commented on its judgment negatively to the media.

BDST: 1319 HRS, MAY 04, 2015
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