Bangladesh, May 14 -- The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday ordered the appointment of state-appointed defence counsel for 17 absconding accused in a case involving alleged crimes against humanity committed in Chattogram during last year's mass uprising, clearing the path for trial proceedings to continue in their absence.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and also comprising Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, issued the order after hearing submissions from the prosecution.
The tribunal simultaneously scheduled 4 June for the formal framing of charges against all 22 accused in the case. Among the 17 fugitive accused are former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and former E...