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Published : 13 Apr 2026, 01:54 AM
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has sentenced a Jubo League leader to two months in prison for committing contempt of court through a "derogatory" Facebook post.
The three-member bench, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, alongside Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, passed the order on Sunday.
However, the tribunal granted clemency to his wife Ismat Zerin on "humanitarian grounds".
The convicted individual, MH Patoary Babu, serves as publication secretary of Dhaka North city Jubo League, the affiliate organisation of the Awami League, and is a former vice-president of the central Chhatra League.
In its observation, the court said: “The offence committed by the suspect is extremely serious. Failure to punish such propaganda would send the wrong message. We can firmly state that we are fully transparent, and no one, at home or abroad, can question our judicial process.
“As the post has spread globally, a minimum punishment is necessary to serve as a warning to others.”
The hearing began around 3:30pm on Sunday, with the tribunal first recording the statement of Babu’s wife.
She admitted to the offence and sought unconditional pardon.
Babu later read out the post from his Facebook page, claiming he had shared it after copying from another account.
He also sought unconditional apology and pledged not to repeat such actions.
The tribunal then heard from special investigation officer and prosecutor Tanvir Hassan Zoha.
He said that on Apr 7, acting on a court order, a raid was conducted at Babu’s residence in Mirpur’s Shewrapara, but he was not found.
His wife’s mobile phone was seized during the operation.
With assistance from the Detective Branch and Mirpur Model Police, Ismat was produced before the tribunal on Apr 8.
She had undertaken to present her husband within four days.
Advocate MA Noman appeared for the defence, while Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam led the prosecution, accompanied by prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Faruk Ahmad, Abdus Sattar Palwan, and Moinul Karim, among others.
During the hearing, the chief prosecutor said many individuals make offensive remarks about the tribunal, which is deeply concerning, but sought unconditional pardon for Zerin on humanitarian grounds.
Initially, the tribunal considered sentencing Babu to one year in prison, citing the gravity of the offence and his status as a political figure.
However, following repeated appeals from the prosecution, the sentence was reduced to three months and eventually to two months’ rigorous imprisonment.
The tribunal also directed that the identities of those who liked, commented on, and shared the Facebook post be submitted within one week.
Following the verdict, Babu was sent to prison.
On Apr 7, the tribunal had taken cognisance of the contempt allegation and issued an arrest warrant against him.
He surrendered before the court with his wife on Sunday afternoon.
In his Facebook post, Babu had accused tribunal Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza, former law advisor Asif Nazrul, former chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, and lawyer Shishir Manir of being involved in large-scale financial transactions.
