Dhaka: International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday issued a contempt of court rule against 23 eminent persons for issuing statement over the punishment of journalist David Bergman.
The citizens are Anu Muhammad, Shireen Huq, Zafrullah Chowdhury, CR Abrar, Ali Ahmed Ziauddin, Lubna Marium, Farida Akhtar, Dina D’ Costa, Afsan Chowdhury, Rahnuma Ahmed, Shahidul Alam, Leesa Gazi, Zarina Nahar Kabir, Shabnam Nadia, Muktasree Chakma Sathi, Mahmud Rahman, Nasreen Siraj Allie, Hana Shams Ahmed, Anusheh Anadil, Delwar Hossain, Masud Khan, Tibra Ali and Ziaur Rahman.

A three-member tribunal bench led by Justice Obaidul Hassan issued the rule. The tribunal asked 23 persons to submit their reply before the court within 23 April 2015.

Earlier, the tribunal acquitted 26 persons as they sought excuses to the tribunal.

The tribunal sought explanation from 49 eminent figures after they published a statement in a national daily criticising the punishment of journalist Bergman in 20 December 2014.