NOTE: Due to security concerns during the hartal our researchers were not able to attend proceedings. This summary is compiled from media coverage and the input from the Defense and Prosecution.

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Gholam Azam – Prosecution Arguments on Civilian Command Responsibility (Accused Not Present)
2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Saluddin Qader Chowdhury – Cross-examination of PW 21

On 14 March 2013 the Chairman of Tribunal 1 scheduled the 18^th for the hearing of arguments from Prosecutor Turin Afroz and Defense counsel Imran Siddique regarding the issue of whether a civilian could have a superior command responsibility. Today Prosecutor Turin Afroz submitted her arguments. Imran Siddique was absent at the Tribunal due to the hartal. A junior Defense counsel who was present submitted an application for adjournment for two days on behalf of both senior Defense counsel Mizanul Islam and Imran Siddique. Thereafter the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings until March 20, 2013 and imposed the cost of taka 5,000 for the delay. The Tribunal directed the Defense to pay the amount along with the taka 1,000 cost which was previously assigned and due March 20, 2013.

Our researchers hope to collect the Prosecution’s written submission regarding command responsibility and will post notes about it.

In the Chowdhury case the Defense counsel was absent and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury conducted the cross-examination of Prosecution witness 21, Abul Bashor, himself. Thereafter Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 19 March 2013.

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