Bergman case: 15 absolved of contempt charges after apologies

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has let off 15 of the 50 citizens, who had issued a statement expressing concern over the conviction of British journalist David Bergman for contempt of court, after they tendered unconditional apology.

The court will give a verdict on 34 others, who had issued the joint statement as well on Mar 3.

Justice Obaidul Hassan-led ICT-2 issued the order on Monday.

Of the 50 signatories, rights activists Khushi Kabir had disowned her association with statement soon after it was published.

Those who tendered their apology include Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik, President of SUJON M Hafiz Uddin Khan, writer Tahmima Anam, SUJON’s General Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, Professors of International Relations at Dhaka University Imtiaz Ahmed and Amena Mohsin, National Coordinator of Bangladesh Shishu Bikash Kendra Dr Nayla Zaman Khan, Dr Shahnaz Huda, environmental activist Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Professor of Law at Dhaka University Asif Nazrul, rights activist Zakir Hossain, singer Arup Rahi, writer Shahin Akhter and rights activist Ilora Dewan.

The war crimes tribunal had convicted journalist David Bergman on Dec 2 for ‘creating confusion’ about subjudice matter through his ‘irresponsible’ writings in his blogs.

The journalist was punished by being made to remain standing in the court for a whole day, besides being fined Tk 5,000.

Daily Prothom Alo published a report about the concern expressed by 50 citizens. The New York Times, too, wrote an editorial on December 23 along similar lines.

As it felt the news were an aspersion on Bangladesh’s judiciary, the ICT asked the Bangla-language daily to furnish the ‘full copy’ of the statement.

Accordingly, it submitted the identity and address details of Hana Sams Ahmed, who had mailed the statement on behalf of the 50 citizens on Dec 18.

As per the court’s directive Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik submitted to the tribunal identities and addresses of the 49 out of the 50 citizens, who had issued the statement, on Jan 14.

After that, the judge asked them to explain their position.

On Jan 27, 15 of the citizens tendered unqualified apology to the tribunal through their lawyers.

The judge on Monday accepted their apology and also fixed the date for the verdict on others.

Trustee of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, while explaining his position, said he would argue his own case.

In his explanation given to the court, he claimed that there was nothing in the statement that could be viewed as contempt of court.