Category Archives: Asian International Justice Initiative

26 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-26; Contempt Charges against Channel 24 and others

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Channel 24 and others
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

Contempt Proceedings

On 25 September 2013, the Tribunal heard a petition filed by Prosecution for contempt under section 11(4) of the ICT Act 1973 read with Rule 45 of Rules of Procedure 2010 against a number of Channel 24 personnel and affiliates. Todaythe Tribunal issued a notice towards the named individuals, asking them to reply by 10 October 2013, explaining why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. The Order specifically called Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury and Mahfuz Ullah to appear before the Tribunal in person.  The Court further asked Channel 24 not to re-broadcast the impugned talk-show episode. The Order declared that talk-show guests, Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury and Mahfuz Ullah had publically discussed a matter subjudice, without knowing the factual aspects, and had deliberately called into question the trial proceedings. Channel 24 had facilitated this behavior by broadcasting the offending statements of the guests.  Continue reading →

25 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin, Prosecution Closing Statements

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin

Prosecutor Haider Ali concluded the Prosecution closing arguments in the case against Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan. In his concluding remarks, he sought the highest punishment of death sentence for both the Accused.

Prosecutor Haider Ali submitted that the series of events regarding the targeted abduction and killing of Bangalee intellectuals on the eve of Bangladesh’s victory in the nine months war against Pakistan is not disputed. However, in order to link these events to the Accused on trial, Counsel devoted some portion of his time today to highlighting discernible patterns and similarities between the abductions alleged in Charges 1 thru 11. The Prosecution argued that exhibited documentary evidence, including books and contemporaneous newspapers, corroborated by witness testimony, indicated that this targeted killing had been administered and executed systematically by Al-Badr paramilitary forces. Counsel further submitted that the Prosecution has successfully shown that Al-Badr death squad included Chowdhury Mueen Uddin as the Operation-in-Charge and Ashrafuzzaman Khan as Chief Executor. The Prosecutor argued that it was not necessary to prove that the Accused had given the specific instructions or orders for the targeted killing, because this could be deduced from circumstantial evidence. Continue reading →

25 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-26; Abdus Sobhan, Pre-Trial Submissions; Contempt Charges against Channel 24 and others

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Channel 24 and others

Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

In the case against Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-26, the Investigation Officer (IO) Abdur Razzak, began to record his testimony in Court.

Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan

In the case of Abdus Sobhan, the Defense sought leave to have privileged communication with his client on Saturday. The Tribunal granted the request.

Contempt Proceedings

Today the Prosecution filed a petition for contempt under section 11(4) of the ICT Act, read with Rule 45 of Rules of Procedure.  The contempt charges are against the Managing Director of Channel 24, Chief Executive Officer of Channel 24, Executive Director of Channel 24, Head of Programme of Channel 24, Episode Producer of Muktobaak broadcasted on 18 September 2013 at 11 am, Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Anchor Muktoback of Channel 24), Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (Trustee of Gonosastho Kendra), and Mahfuz Ullah (General Secretary of Center for Sustainable Development). The Tribunal heard the petition and set tomorrow for passing an order. Continue reading →

24 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin, Prosecution Closing Statements

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin

Prosecutor Shahidur Rahman Prosecutor continued closing submissions in the case against Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan. The two Accused are being tried jointly in absentia.  They are being represented by State-appointed defense counsels. The Accused Mueen is believed to be in London, while Ashrafuzzaman lives in New York. Counsel reviewed the testimony of each of the witnesses whose testimony the Prosecution wished to rely upon in support of the charges against the Accused. Continue reading →

24 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – ATM Azharul Islam, Pre-Trial Submissions

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. ATM Azharul Islam

In the case of ATM Azharul Islam, the Defense made pre-trial submissions seeking dismissal of all charges against the Accused, ATM Azharul Islam, under Rule 37 of the Tribunal’s Rules of Procedure. Having heard partial arguments, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings until 3 October 2013, when they will hear the remaining portion of Defense arguments.

Defense Submissions

The Accused in this case faces six charges of Crimes Against Humanity.  The proposed charges include allegations of abduction, confinement, torture, persecution, rape and other inhuman act as underlying elements of Crimes Against Humanity. Defense argued that there is no reference to arson or looting or grievous hurt in section 3(2)(a) of the ICT Act 1973, nor is there any evidence to show that these offences were crimes under customary international law in 1971.  As such, Counsel submitted, there is no scope for framing charges against the Accused petitioner for these particular crimes. In support of their submission, the Defense called the Court’s attention to Article 22(2) of the Rome Statute for the ICC. Continue reading →