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Shamsul Haque Tuku seeks to defend himself in tribunal case
Published : Wednesday, 16 September, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Observer online report
Former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku wants to defend himself without appointing a lawyer in the crimes against humanity case pending against him at the International Crimes Tribunal.
His son, a University of Dhaka teacher, conveyed the request to Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam at the tribunal on Wednesday afternoon.
According to his son, Tuku wants to conduct his own defence before the tribunal. He made an oral request for the necessary case documents under Section 17 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.
Following the request, the chief prosecutor called prosecutor Mohammad Zahirul Amin, who is handling the Shapla Chattar case, and instructed him to take the necessary steps.
Zahirul Amin told the media that Tuku is also a lawyer by profession. His son had requested the necessary case documents on his behalf.
The matter has been brought to the attention of the concerned bench officer to verify the previous records and any vakalatnama filed in the case, he said.
“If no lawyer has been appointed on his behalf, he may receive all the necessary documents himself as a lawyer. However, if a lawyer has previously filed a vakalatnama, the documents must be collected through that lawyer in accordance with the rules,” Zahirul said.
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set October 7 for hearing on the formal charges against 41 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in the case over killings and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel in May 2013.
Tuku, a former deputy speaker, is currently in jail after his arrest in the case.
Under Section 17 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, an accused is entitled to certain rights during trial. These include the opportunity to make relevant statements or explanations regarding the charges, the right to defend himself before the tribunal or receive legal assistance, and the right to present evidence and witnesses and cross-examine prosecution witnesses.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
