Unprecedented Scene at Tribunal: Former MP Appears Lying in Ambulance Instead of Prison Van

❐ Staff Correspondent

Former MP for Raojan and Awami League leader ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, accused in a case filed over incidents that took place in Chittagong during the July-August clashes, has been produced in court in an unprecedented and exceptional manner.

Although according to the rules, the accused are brought to the tribunal from prison in a prison van, on Wednesday morning, June 24, the former member of parliament was brought to the International Crimes Tribunal in a well-equipped ambulance.

Due to a serious illness, he spent the entire court session lying inside the ambulance. His lawyer continued the hearing in his client’s physical absence from the courtroom.

According to prosecution and hospital sources, former MP ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury is currently undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (formerly PG Hospital) due to a serious illness.

He was taken directly to the International Crimes Tribunal premises by ambulance in the morning under tight security. The ambulance carrying Fazle Karim left the tribunal premises at around 2:30 pm after the trial. Tribunal prosecutor Farooq Ahmed confirmed this.

Explaining the reason behind Fazle Karim’s serious illness, the defense told the court that in mid-April, a prison van carrying the accused was involved in a serious accident on the way to Keraniganj Prison. Fazle Karim suffered serious injuries to his neck and spine in the accident.

After various tests, he was admitted to Bangladesh Medical University (PG Hospital) on the advice of doctors. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital under the overall supervision of the prison authorities and under strict security.

Fazle Karim’s lead lawyer presented a strong argument in favor of his acquittal from the case, claiming that the charges against the former MP were ‘false and politically motivated’ in the tribunal’s courtroom.

However, despite the long hearing, the defense’s arguments were not completed yesterday. As a result, the court has set the next day, Sunday (June 28), to present arguments in favor of Fazle Karim’s acquittal.