Tribunal exonerates Barrister Fakhrul

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Monday exonerated Barrister Fakhrul Islam, once counsel for executed war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, from contempt of court charge.

Justice Anwarul Haque, chairman of the three-member panel of the ICT-1, passed the order today as the accused sought unconditional apology on earlier occasion. The court also cautioned him not to repeat such offence in the future.

Earlier on January 14, 2013, the first tribunal issued the notice on Fakhrul for lowering the courts dignity and interfering in the privacy of a High Court Judge.

On December 30, 2012, the defence counsel filed a petition seeking an explanation from the sitting judges of ICT-1, whether they had any previous knowledge about the alleged Skype conversation between Justice Nizamul Huq, former chairman of the ICT-1, Dr Ahmed Ziauddin and Raihan Rashid.

Fakhrul, who has been in jail in a case filed over leaking of draft verdict in the crimes against humanity case against Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, was freed on bail recently and was present at the court today.