Dhaka, Dec. 3 -- Senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna has apologised before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) after refusing to act as the state-appointed defence counsel for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case of crimes against humanity linked to custodial torture and enforced disappearances during the Awami League's rule.

Panna appeared before Tribunal-1 on Wednesday after judges ordered him to be brought in "immediately" during a charge-framing hearing.

Arriving in a wheelchair, Panna reiterated that he could not represent Hasina and apologised for withdrawing despite having previously volunteered to serve as state-appointed defence counsel.

Tribunal head Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder noted that Panna had earli...