Journalists have stated that they are not allowed to bring their cell phones inside the International Criminal Tribunal’s courtroom during the July-August mass death trials.

Journalists tried to use their cell phones to enter the courtroom Thursday as the tribunal got underway.

They were told by gate staff that cell phones and other electronic gadgets were not allowed. Journalists protested when they were told to leave their phones outside in order to enter.

In response, Masudur Rahman, president of the Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF), said: “We are permitted to enter the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division with mobile phones, as it is the highest court in the country. We demand the same access to the tribunal. We call for the withdrawal of the ban on journalists bringing mobile phones into the tribunal during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina’s government.”