The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Sunday handed down imprisonment for three months to Rafiqul Islam Khan, acting secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hamidur Rahman Azad, central executive committee member of the party, for their contemptuous comments about the trial over crimes against humanity. The court also fined them Tk. 3,000 each. If they default over payment of the fine, they will undergo a further imprisonment for two weeks.
The three-member tribunal, headed by its chairman Justice Obaidul Hassan, also fined Selim Uddin, assistant secretary general of the Dhaka city unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, Tk. 1,000 for the same reason. Selim has been asked to pay the sum within a week. In case of default in payment of the fine, he will have to spend two weeks in jail.
The tribunal also ordered Selim to remain at the chamber till the end of the day’s proceedings. It showed some lenience to Selim for his apology to the tribunal, while the other two did not appear before the tribunal and evaded trial.
The tribunal said though Rafiq and Azad are shown to be fugitives, they have been delivering speeches in public meetings.
“Hamidur Rahman Azad also attended Parliament sessions. They committed contempt of court through their non-appearance,” the tribunal said, adding that the order would be effective from the time of their arrest or surrender.
The tribunal issued a contempt notice against the Jamaat trio on February 7, asking them to appear before the court and explain as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for their remarks.
On February 4, Azad and Selim made some comments on the trial over crimes against humanity at a rally at Motijheel Square, while Rafiq’s remarks came at a news briefing on February 5. The tribunal issued arrest warrants against the Jamaat leaders on March 6.
Police only managed to arrest Selim and produced him before the tribunal on March 10. The tribunal granted bail to Selim as he apologised to the tribunal for his comments. The other two, however, are still on the run.
-With The Independent input
