Category Archives: Asian International Justice Initiative

19 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of Abdus Sobhan, Cognizance of Charges

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan

This was the second day of a 48-hour countrywide shut down called by Jamaat-e-Islam. Due to the Hartal, our monitors could not safely travel to the Court to attend proceedings.  The following coverage is compiled from official court records and communication with the parties to the proceedings.

In the case of Abdus Sobhan, the Tribunal took cognizance of charges, and set 20 October for hearing on charge framing.

18 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of Abdul Alim, Defense Closing Arguments; Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin, PW-25 Examination

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin

This was was the first day of a 48-hour countrywide shut down called by Jamaat-e-Islam. Due to the Hartal, our monitors could not safely travel to the Court to attend proceedings.  The following coverage was compiled from official court records and communication with the parties to the proceedings.

On this day, Mr. Ahsanul Haq Hena, the defense counsel for the accused Abdul Alim continued his closing submissions for the 4th day, before Tribunal 2 of the ICT. Counsel addressed evidentiary aspects of charges 4 through 10 of the indictment against the Accused. The Tribunal requested that Counsel conclude the closing submission the following day.

In the case against Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddinm, the Tribunal continued to record the testimony of PW-25, Mr. Ataur Rahman, one of the two investigation officers of the case against Mueen and Ashraf. PW-25 was specifically assigned to investigate the involvement of Chowdhury Mueen Uddin. The State-appointed defense counsel, Ms. Salma Hye Tuni, commenced the cross-examination of the witness. Cross Examination is scheduled to conclude tomorrow.

18 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of ATM Azharul Islam, Pre-Trial; Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-23

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. ATM Azharul Islam
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

Today was the first day of a 48-hour countrywide shut down called by Jamaat-e-Islam. Due to the Hartal, our monitors could not safely travel to the Court to attend proceedings.  The following coverage was compiled from official court records and communication with the parties to the proceedings.The case of ATM Azharul Islam was scheduled for charge hearing today. However, the junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment, saying Senior Defense Counsel could not attend the Tribunal due to personal difficulties. The Prosecution opposed the motion, but the Tribunal agreed to adjourn the proceedings of the case until 23 September 2013. The Prosecution had already completed their submission on charge framing.

In the case of Motiur Rahman Nizami, the Court had scheduled cross-examination of Sayeda Salma Haque, Prosecution witness 23. The Prosecution could not produce the witness, however, and therefore sought additional time, which was granted.  Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings until 22 September.

Continue reading →

17 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Abdul Alim, Defense Closing Arguments; Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin, PW-25 Examination

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin

Defense counsel for Mr. Abdul Alim continued his closing submission for the third day before Triubal 2. The Tribunal also recorded the testimony of the second Investigation Officer of the case against Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan. The IO gave testimony as PW-25.

Alim: Defense closing submission on points of law

Defense Counsel, Mr. Ahsanul Haque Hena, continued his legal submissions on behalf of his client, Abdul Alim. He commenced his submission for the third day by discussing the issue of Shaon Lal Bajla’s Godighar (sitting room).  He then proceeded to discuss specific evidence pertaining to each of the charges, in turn. Continue reading →

17 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Zahid Hossain Khokon, Charge Framing Submissions

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon

In the case of Zahid Hossain Khokon, the Prosecution completed their submission on charge framing. The State-appointed Defense Counsel, Abdus Shukur Khan, asked the Court to discharge Khokon from the alleged charges. After hearing both the sides, the Tribunal fixed 29 September as the date for issuing its order on charge framing.

The Prosecution alleged that Zahid Hossain Khokon was a Razakar commander from Nagarkanda. They submitted all of the documents they felt were necessary to support the charge framing order. The State-appointed Defense Counsel, representing an absent client, informed the Court that he had been unable to collect any information from his absconded client or his client’s family. He submitted that Zahid Hossain Khokon is an elected Mayor of Nagarkanda Municipal area, and argued that Khokon was not involved with the proposed charges. Defense argued that there are no documents to show that Khokon was a Razakar. Referencing a list submitted by the Prosecution, Defense pointed out that the document only mentioned the surname ‘Khokon.’ Counsel claimed this was inconclusive, and argued that the Razakar list was not Zahid Hossain Khokon. The Defense asked the Court to take note of the fact that, under Collaborators Act, no case had been filed against Khokon.

After hearing both the sides, the Tribunal fixed 29 September as the date for issuing its order on charge framing.