Monthly Archives: June 2013

2 June 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary, Nizami PW 10, Mubarak Hossain PW 3

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases: 

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mubarak Hossain

In the Motiur Rahman Nizami case, the Tribunal heard the examination-in-chief of Tofazzal Hossain, Prosecution Witness 10. Thereafter, the Defense requested time to prepare for cross-examination, alleging that the Prosecution informed them about PW-10 just before the beginning of today’s proceedings (normally the Prosecution informs the Defense about the witness who is going to testify on the day before, so that Defense can prepare). The Tribunal allowed the prayer and adjourned the proceedings of the case until 4 June, 2013.

In the Mubarak Hossain case, the Tribunal heard the examination-in-chief of Md Rafiqul Islam, Prosecution Witness 3, who testified in support of charge no 3. Thereafter, Defense Counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena conducted cross-examination. After the conclusion of the cross-examination, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until 9 June, 2013. Continue reading →

30 May 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Mujahid Defense Closing Arguments

30 May 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mujahid

Today Defense counsel Abdur Razzak began his portion of the Closing Arguments in the case of Mujahid. Although he had previously been designated to cover only the legal aspects of the case, he also discussed evidentiary and factual issues as well, particularly issues pertaining to documentary evidence.

The Defense also informed the Tribunal that because the senior Defense team is also appearing before the Appellate Division in conjunction with the Qader Molla case appeal, they would need the Tribunal to accommodate the Defense’s schedule (in particular Mr. Razzak’s schedule). He said that he would only be able to present arguments in the Mujahid case in the afternoon. The Tribunal agreed to accommodate the Defense counsel as far as possible.

Closing Arguments
The Defense noted that the book “Al-Badr” is the primary documentary evidence relied upon by the Prosecution to establish that Mujahid held a leadership position in the Al-Badr forces during the 1971 war period.

The counsel stated that the book refers to the speech of the ’Nezam’ (Head/leader) of Al-Badr, given the night before Pakistan surrendered on 16th December 1971. The counsel submitted that this is the worst possible form of hearsay evidence as there is no reference as to who recalled and reported the meeting, who gave the description of the meeting, when and where such an interview was taken and how the contents of the speech of the ‘Nezam’ could be authenticated. The Defense submitted that without knowing this information, the evidence cannot be relied upon in reaching any conclusion regarding Mujahid’s position within the Al-Badr forces or his alleged guilt. Because the book amounts to anonymous hearsay it cannot be relied upon. Continue reading →

29 May 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage

29 May 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – (Hartal Coverage)

Today due to a nation-wide hartal our researchers were unable to attend proceedings. Our coverage has been gathered from the press and from conversations with the Defense and the Prosecution.

The contempt proceedings against Dhaka Jamaa-e-Islami party leader Selim Uddin appeared in the daily cause list but were deferred until 2 June 2013 for further hearing. The court then adjourned for the day.

29 May 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage, Chowdhury Applications and PW 41

 Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury

Today due to a nation-wide hartal our researchers were unable to attend proceedings. Our coverage is gathered from media sources and conversations with both the Defense and the Prosecution.

In the Salauddin Qader Chowdhury case the Tribunal issued its order on the three applications filed by the Prosecution and the two applications filed by the Defense on 28 May 2013. Today the Tribunal passed an order accepting four of the proposed eight out-of-court Prosecution witness statements submitted by the Prosecution under Section 19(2) of the ICT Act 1973. Among these four witnesses three are dead and one has been determined to have left for India. The Tribunal rejected the Prosecution’s petition to submit additional documents. They accepted the petition to correct the mistake made in the Charge Framing Order. The Tribunal rejected both the Defense’s applications.

Today the Tribunal heard the examination-in-chief of the Prosecution witness 41, the Investigation Officer Md Nurul Islam. Thereafter, the Defense sought additional time for preparation. The Tribunal adjourned the case until Monday, 3 June 2013.

28 May 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Mujahid Closing Arguments, Contempt Proceedings vs. PW 2

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mujahid –  Defense Closing Arguments
  2. Contempt Proceedings Against Jahir Uddin Jalal, Prosecution Witness 2

The Defense in the Mujahid case addressed Charge-7, covering its evidentiary aspects before making overall closing statements regarding the investigation process and the case in general. The Closing Arguments were primarily led by Defense counsel Munshi Ahsan Kabir who had been released from the hospital following an alleged assault on him by Jahir Uddin Jalal, Prosecution witness 2.

After lunch, the Tribunal took up the issue of the alleged assault and heard the Defense’s application for contempt proceedings to be brought against the witness Jalal. After hearing the application the court ordered of contempt proceeding against the witness to begin 5 June 2013. They issued a notice that Jalal must submit his written explanation by that date. Continue reading →