STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday sent two deputy registrars to the chamber of Senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna, appointed earlier as defence counsel for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in an enforced disappearance case, after he failed to appear during the charge-framing hearing.

Visibly displeased, the tribunal first halted the proceedings before ordering the deputy registrars to “go in person” to Panna’s chamber and ask him to appear “immediately”.

The hearing began with Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam opening submissions against 17 accused, including Hasina. But tribunal Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder abruptly stopped him, asking, “Has one defence lawyer withdrawn?”

Tribunal member Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood followed up with, “Why he is not present today?”

Tajul informed the tribunal that Panna had written to the registrar seeking to withdraw from the case.

Justice Shofiul said such a withdrawal requires The

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