Sheikh Hasina has sent no letter to ICT, legal action will follow if anyone does: Chief Prosecutor
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said that no letter has been received at the tribunal from any UK-based legal service provider on behalf of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death in a case of crimes against humanity.
He added that if any such letter is sent, legal action will be taken against the law firm and those on whose behalf it is sent.
The Chief Prosecutor made the remarks to journalists at the tribunal’s office on Thursday afternoon.
Various media outlets have reported that a UK-based legal service provider named “Kingsley Napley” sent a letter to the International Crimes Tribunal on behalf of Sheikh Hasina. According to the website of Kingsley Napley, it is based in London, UK, and has been providing legal services for over 80 years.
The Chief Prosecutor said that he learned through journalists on Wednesday that a law firm called Kingsley Napley had submitted a letter on behalf of Sheikh Hasina. However, no such letter has been received by the International Crimes Tribunal or the prosecution (state lawyers). He said he did not know how some journalists obtained a copy; one journalist sent him a copy via WhatsApp.
Aminul Islam said, “From the copy of the letter I read, the address at the top says ‘International Crimes Tribunal’ and at the bottom, it says ‘Dear ICT’. The first paragraph states, ‘We act on behalf of Sheikh Hasina.’ From just this, it is clear how immature a letter it is, showing they do not know how to address it properly.”
He added, “If it is to be addressed to a judge of the tribunal, should it say ‘Dear ICT’ or ‘Honorable Judge’? If it is from a British law firm, they should know this. It looks like a completely fake letter. Whether it is coming from a fake law firm abroad or from Keraniganj–Jinjira locally, it cannot be confirmed.”
The Chief Prosecutor said that the tribunal’s proceedings will not be affected by such a frivolous letter. He added that no law firm has the legal right to comment on Sheikh Hasina, as she is a fugitive.
Aminul Islam further stated, “If this letter is officially received by us, the language and content of the letter would constitute contempt of court. We will take legal action, including contempt proceedings, against the firms and those on whose behalf such letters are sent.”
In a case of crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal–1 on 17 November last year.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan also received a death sentence in the same case. Former Police Inspector General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was sentenced to five years in prison as an approver (state witness) in this case.