Category Archives: Daily Summaries

6 November 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – AKM Yusuf, PW-3

Despite being the final day of a 60-hour nationwide Hartal, ICT-1 proceeded to hear matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. AKM Yusuf

It was the third day and last day of the continuous 60-hour countrywide hartal that began at 6:00 am on 4 November 2013, and was enforced by the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance. Nonetheless, the Tribunal recorded testimony today from PW-3 in the case against AKM Yusuf. Mr. Shamsul Alam alias Jahangir, who now 53 years old, gave testimony as PW-3. He is the son of Dr. Abdul Majid, who was a physician by profession and also participated in organizing of the War of Liberation. The testimony of the witness mainly related to Charge 12, pertaining to the killing of Dr. Majid, but the testimony also supported Charges 1 and 3. Continue reading →

4-5 November 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Court Adjourned

The BNP-led-18-party opposition alliance enforced a continuous 60-hour countrywide hartal from 6:00 am on 4 November 2013 until 6 November,2013. The attorneys did not show up in court due to severe security concerns arising from the hartal. Consequentially, Tribunal 2 was not in session on these days.

This marked the opposition’s second long hartal after the Eid vacation.  These interruptions have been significantly affecting the proceedings of the Tribunal.

3 November 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan found Guilty on 11 Charges – Sentenced to Death

Today, Tribunal 2 issued its sixth verdict, concluding the case of Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan alias Naeb Ali Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin. The two have been tried jointly for the same offences, and the Tribunal found both of them guilty on all eleven charges. Mueen and Ashraf have both remained outside of Bangladesh, and have been tried in absentia.

The Charges and the Verdict:

  • Charge 1: Abetting and complicity to the commission of the offence of abduction as Crime Against Humanity, or in the alternative extermination as Crime Against Humanity, or in the alternative murder as Crimes Against Humanity committed against journalist Seraj Uddin Hossain, an unarmed civilian belonging to the intellectual group. Charged under Section 3(2)(a) (g) (h) and for liability under Section 4(1) and 4(2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.

3 November 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, Closing Statements; Zahid Hossain Khokon, Opening Statements Delayed

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon      
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

Tribunal 2 delivered its judgment in the trial of Chowdhury Mueen Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan today.  They used the courtroom of Tribunal 1 for the pronouncement, because it is much larger than the regular ICT-2 courtroom.  Because of this,t he proceeding of Tribunal 1 did not commence until 2:00 pm today.  Continue reading →

October 2013: ICT-1 Monthly Overview of Progress of Cases

Due to funding uncertainties late in the year, our project was forced to take a hiatus in the month of October.  During this time, our trial observers were not physically present in the courtroom to observe proceedings.  Trial observation resumed in November, after additional funding was secured to continue the project.  In the interest of continuity, we have compiled two brief posts—one for ICT-1 and the other for ICT-2— highlighting major developments in each of the cases that took place during our October hiatus. As we have done with Hartal coverage of the proceedings, the following information was compiled from official court records and communication with the parties to the proceedings.

This month, the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. ATM Azharul Islam
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami
  4. Contempt Proceedings

Salauddin Qader Chowdhury

In the case of Chief Prosecutor vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury, Tribunal 1 issued a verdict on 1 October 2013. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury was found guilty and sentenced to death for charges 3, 5, 6 and 8. He received 70 years imprisonment for  charges 2, 4, 7, 17 and 18. He was acquitted of 8 charges, and the Prosecution did not submit any evidence on the remaining 6 charges. During the pronouncement of verdict, the Accused Salauddin Qader Chowdhury alleged that the verdict had already leaked and was available on the website. Continue reading →