ICT issues notice on ‘The Economist’

BSS, Dhaka

The ICT-1 on Thursday issued a notice on the South Asia bureau chief and the chief editor of London-based ‘The Economist’ to explain why actions would not be taken against them for interfering in the ongoing war crimes trial and violating the privacy of a judge.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 directed them to reply within three-weeks.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq said he has regular conversations with international war crimes specialist Ahmed Ziauddin, now residing in Brussels, over e-mail and Skype on the war crimes trial.

But recently, he found out that his and Ziauddin’s email and Skype account got hacked.

The chairman on Wednesday received a phone call from a person who claimed himself as a journalist from ‘The Economist’.

He said that they (the publication) have all the records of the conversation between the tribunal chairman and Ziauddin.

“He (the caller) wanted to know about the current position of the trial in ICT,” the justice said.

The tribunal on Thursday passed the order saying no one can ask a presiding judge about an ongoing trial in his court and it is a serious offence.

The tribunal also directed it (The Economist) not to publish the record in any circumstances.

In its order, the tribunal said a copy of this order should be served to inspector general of police for probe into the matter.

Source: The Daily Star