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Published : 03 Dec 2025, 05:25 PM
Senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna has apologised before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) after refusing to act as the state-appointed defence counsel for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case of crimes against humanity linked to custodial torture and enforced disappearances during the Awami League's rule.
Panna appeared before Tribunal-1 on Wednesday after judges ordered him to be brought in “immediately” during a charge-framing hearing.
Arriving in a wheelchair, Panna reiterated that he could not represent Hasina and apologised for withdrawing despite having previously volunteered to serve as state-appointed defence counsel.
Tribunal head Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder noted that Panna had earlier sought the role and received approval but then failed to attend court, forcing proceedings to continue in his absence.
"Now the hearing must be reconvened. The rule is that charges must be heard in the presence of the defence counsel,” the tribunal chair said.
Panna replied, “I am physically unwell. I have sent a letter to the registrar’s office stating that I cannot appear in this case.”
The tribunal also questioned him about a video message in which he allegedly suggested his client did not recognise the tribunal’s authority.
“Your client won't appear, you didn't appear either. You yourself expressed interest in serving as counsel, and we issued an order accordingly. If you do not wish to continue, you must come before the tribunal and say so. Moreover, you released a video message commenting that your client does not recognise this court and therefore you don't either. Is it appropriate for you to say such a thing?"
Panna replied, “I offer an unconditional apology.”
The tribunal then asked once more whether he intended to conduct the defence in the case. He answered that he would not.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said comments made by the senior lawyer on social media amounted to contempt for the tribunal.
The bench then asked Panna to recommend a replacement and when he declined, the court appointed Advocate Md Amir Hossain as state defence counsel.
Amir agreed to take on the role and has previously represented Hasina in a separate crimes-against-humanity case in which she received the death sentence.
The case lists 17 accused, including Hasina, her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and several senior security officials. Ten Army officers have so far been arrested, while the others are listed as absconding.
The tribunal set Dec 14 for hearings on applications seeking the discharge of the accused.
