The first war crimes tribunal on Sunday granted the UK-based Economist another month to explain why measures would not be taken against them.
Former chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal – 1, Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq had ordered on Dec 6, a day after the British newspaper called him up asking about his alleged Skype conversation and email exchanges with another person, that the South Asia Bureau Chief Adam Roberts and the chief editor were to explain why action should not be taken against them.
Justice Huq, who stepped down when the Skype controversy hit the roof, had ordered that the periodical was asking questions based on illegally gotten material.
The order said that this breach of privacy and engaging a judge amounted to interference with the proceedings and directed the British newspaper, which had claimed to be in possession of the emails and conversations, to keep his emails confidential.
The duo would have to reply within three weeks.
However, Mustafizur Rahman, who stood for Economist told the tribunal that he had only signed the power of attorney a day before and his client had gotten the notice in the end of January.
The tribunal granted him a month and fixed the next date on Mar 4.
Mustafizur Rahman was also the lawyer who defended New Age Publisher Shahidullah Khan and former Special Reports Editor David Bergman in another contempt case for an article by Bergman. The court had found Bergman’s writing to be highly contemptuous but did not give any sentence. New Age Editor Nurul Kabir had chosen to defend himself.bdnews24.com
