Senior lawyer ZI Khan Panna sought an unconditional apology for his inability to represent as defence lawyer of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in two separate cases filed for crimes against humanity including enforced disappearances.

Replacing ZI Khan, the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder appointed Md Amir Hossain as the state-appointed defence lawyer.

On November 23, the tribunal appointed ZI Panna as state defence counsel for Hasina in the two cases.

However, he later sent a letter to the tribunal registrar stating that he would not be able to represent her.

After learning this, the tribunal summoned him on Wednesday.

Arriving in a wheelchair with several lawyers, Panna told the tribunal that he wished to withdraw from representing Hasina due to physical illness.

Chief Prosecutor of ICT Mohammad Tajul Islam began hearing in the enforced disappearance case on Wednesday.

Later, the tribunal made a phone call to Panna and asked him to appear and explain his inability.

After appearing before the court, Panna said, “I am physically unwell. I have already sent a letter to the registrar stating that I will not stand in this case.”

Court denies bail to Latif Siddique, Panna

On October 8, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, five former DGFI directors general and 30 others in two cases filed over crimes against humanity and enforced disappearance.

On October 11, Bangladesh Army said 15 serving officers had been taken into custody.

Among the 30 accused, 25 were former or current army officers—nine retired, one on LPR, and 15 serving.

Later, on October 12, the Home Ministry issued a notification temporarily declaring a building inside Dhaka Cantonment as a jail.