BNP Chairperson’s adviser and former freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman has submitted an unconditional apology to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) after being summoned over a comment he made on a television talk show, according to Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam.

He was earlier asked to appear before the court on 8 December with his academic and Bar Council certificates. The summon was issued after prosecutors accused him of making a remark that undermined the tribunal.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Chief Prosecutor said Fazlur Rahman filed a petition expressing regret, admitting his comment was made in error, and requested the court’s mercy.

The tribunal has not yet given any decision on the apology. A ruling may come on the scheduled hearing date, 8 December.

Fazlur Rahman has not publicly commented on the matter.

A former Awami League leader who later joined the Krishak Sramik Janata League and eventually the BNP, he is currently the party’s nominated candidate for the Kishoreganj-4 constituency in the upcoming 13th national election.

Prosecutors recently presented to the tribunal a clip from a TV talk show in which he reportedly said he “does not accept” the ICT, claiming it was formed only to try crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War and therefore could not try other offences.

The tribunal, originally established for trying 1971 war crimes, is now also conducting trials related to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Movement. The interim government formed after the fall of the Awami League revived the tribunal to proceed with these cases.