Dhaka, Dec 03 (V7N) — Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna has offered an unconditional apology to the International Crimes Tribunal-1 after announcing that he would no longer represent former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in two disappearance cases.

Panna appeared before the two-member tribunal—headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other member—around 1:15 pm on Wednesday and submitted his apology.

Earlier, the tribunal expressed strong dissatisfaction after Panna publicly declared on Facebook that he would not appear in court despite being appointed as a state defense lawyer for Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal immediately ordered him to appear before it. Panna responded within 10 minutes, apologized unconditionally, and confirmed that he would not continue as her lawyer.

Following his withdrawal, the tribunal appointed Amir Hossain as the state defense counsel for Sheikh Hasina in both disappearance cases.

Background

On November 23, ZI Khan Panna was appointed as a state-appointed defense lawyer for Sheikh Hasina in two cases related to alleged crimes against humanity during the Awami League government's tenure.

However, on November 27, he published a video message on his verified Facebook page announcing that he would not represent her. In the video, he stated that Sheikh Hasina did not trust the court, and therefore he would not argue on her behalf in a court she did not believe in.

He also claimed that although he had been appointed by the state, he had not yet received an official appointment letter. Once the letter arrived, he would formally notify the authorities of his resignation.

The tribunal’s proceedings in the disappearance cases continue under the newly appointed state defense counsel.

END/SMA/AJ