The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 Sunday set February 12 to pass an order whether to initiate contempt proceedings against 49 noted citizens, who expressed concern over the punishment of British journalist and blogger David Bergman.
The tribunal on January 14 sought explanation from them as they signed a statement, which was published on daily Prothom Alo on December 20, 2014, expressing their concern as the court punished Bergman for contempt.On January 27, 14 of those 49 sought unconditional apology through their counsels, 25 sought more time to file their explanation and 10 sought tribunal’s permission to allow them to defend themselves.
Bergman, a special report editor of daily New Age, got the punishment for committing contempt of court on December 2, 2014, for his criticism of the trial process on his personal blog and demeaning the court.
After that, Prothom Alo carried out an article titled ‘Concern of 50 eminent citizens over Bergman punishment’ on December 20. Later, right activist Khushi Kabir, whose name was also there, withdrew her statement. – BSS
