Bangladesh's top war crimes court slammed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with six months behind bars. The judges found her guilty of showing contempt for their authority. Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder led the three-judge panel that made the decision Wednesday. Another man named Shakil Akand Bulbul received two months in jail for the same case. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam told reporters about the prison sentences.
The trouble started when a secret phone call leaked on social media last year. People heard Hasina talking to a local politician about court cases against her. She apparently bragged about having permission to kill 227 people because that many lawsuits targeted her. The judges decided her words showed disrespect for the legal system. Regular news outlets picked up the recording after it spread online.
Bulbul was the other person talking during that phone conversation. He served as chairman of Gobindaganj area before losing his job. The court gave him a lighter sentence of two months simple imprisonment. Both punishments only start when police catch the guilty parties or they turn themselves in. The sentences count as non-rigorous imprisonment under court rules.
Prosecutor Tajul Islam brought this contempt case to the tribunal back in April. He worried that Hasina's threatening words might scare victims and witnesses. The ongoing trials deal with crimes against humanity during mass protests last July. Court officials believe harsh statements could damage their legal proceedings.
The trouble started when a secret phone call leaked on social media last year. People heard Hasina talking to a local politician about court cases against her. She apparently bragged about having permission to kill 227 people because that many lawsuits targeted her. The judges decided her words showed disrespect for the legal system. Regular news outlets picked up the recording after it spread online.
Bulbul was the other person talking during that phone conversation. He served as chairman of Gobindaganj area before losing his job. The court gave him a lighter sentence of two months simple imprisonment. Both punishments only start when police catch the guilty parties or they turn themselves in. The sentences count as non-rigorous imprisonment under court rules.
Prosecutor Tajul Islam brought this contempt case to the tribunal back in April. He worried that Hasina's threatening words might scare victims and witnesses. The ongoing trials deal with crimes against humanity during mass protests last July. Court officials believe harsh statements could damage their legal proceedings.
