Category Archives: Investigation of AKM Yusuf

1 July 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – AKM Yusuf Pre-Trial, Chowdhury Testimony DW 1

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. 1.     Charge Framing Order against AKM Yusuf
  2. 2.     Chief Prosecutor vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury

In the AKM Yusuf case, today was fixed for hearing on charge framing. However, the Tribunal heard an application filed by the Prosecution requesting that the case be transferred to Tribunal 2 for speedy disposal. The Prosecution submitted that the number of cases pending before Tribunal 2 is less than Tribunal 1. The Defense submitted that Mizanul Islam is conducting this case, and as he is usually transported by wheelchair, he would face significant difficulty in attempting to enter into Tribunal 2 (the room for Tribunal 1 is much larger than Tribunal 2). The requested that the Tribunal keep the case in Tribunal 1. After hearing both the sides, Tribunal granted the application and transferred the case to Tribunal 2.  The Tribunal then moved to the Chowdhury case, in which the Defendant testified for the eight day. The Tribunal then adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 2 July 2013. Continue reading →

6 June 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary Yusuf Pre-Trial Hearing, Chowdhury PW 41

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. AKM Yusuf
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury

In the AKM Yusuf case, the Tribunal was scheduled to hear the initial presentation of proposed charges against AKM Yusuf. The Defense objected and argued that they had not been given full access to the documents upon which the Prosecution intends to rely. The Tribunal decided it would review the documents and direct the Prosecution accordingly.

In the Salauddin Qader Chowdhury case, the Defense continued the cross-examination of the Investigation officer, Md Nurul Islam, Prosecution witness 41. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until 9 June, 2013.  Continue reading →

14 May 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – AKM Yusuf Denial of Bail

Today due to a nation-wide hartal our researchers were unable to attend proceedings. Therefore our coverage is very brief.

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. AKM Yusuf

The Tribunal passed an order rejecting the Defens’s request for bail in consideration of the gravity of the allegations against the Defendant. The Tribunal  asked the jail authorities to ensure Yusuf’s proper medical treatment. They fixed 6 June for the next hearing in the case and asked the Prosecution to submit all its supporting documents.

13 May 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Chowdhury PW 35, AKM Yusuf Bail Hearing

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecuto vs. Salauddin Qader Chowdhury
  2. Investigation of AKM Yusuf

In the Chowdhury case, the Tribunal heard the examination-in-chief of Prosecution witness 34, Dijoy Krishno Chowdhury. The Defense declined to cross-examine the witness because he did not assert any allegations against Salauddin Qader Chowdhury.

The pre-trial stage of the case against AKM Yusuf continued and the Tribunal heard the Defense’s bail application, fixing tomorrow for passing its order. Continue reading →

12 May 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Hartal, Nizami PW 7, AKM Yusuf Cognizance of Charges

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs Motiur Rahman Nizami 
  2. Chief Prosecution vs AKM Yusuf

In the Nizami case the Tribunal heard the examination-in-chief of Prosecution Witness 7, Pardip Kumar Dev, who testified in support of charge 4. This charge alleges that Motiur Rahman Nizami conspired to commit crimes under section 3(2)(g) of the ICT Act 1973 and was complicit in murders, rapes, looting and destruction of properties committed in the village Karamja,  The charge alleges both accomplice liability under Section 4(1) and Command Responsibility liability under Section4(2) of the ICT Act 1973.

Pardip testified that during the killing he saw Sukur, Afzal, Asad, and Moslem Gong at the site of the  incident. He stated he could not recall whether he was interviewed previously by the Investigating Officer. After asking a few question during which the witness did not implicate the Accused, Prosecutor Mir Iqbal requested permission to declar Pradip Kumar Dey as a hostile witness. The Tribunal granted the request and allowed the Prosecutor to continue as though cross-examining the witness. The Prosecution then suggested that the witness was interviewed by the Investigation Officer on  6 November 2011 and that he accused Motiur Rahman Nizami and Rofiqun Nabi of being involved in the killing. The witness answered that he does not remember the interview. The Prosecution then suggested that he saw Nizami at the site of the alleged killing but is now denying the fact because of financial coercion from the Defense. The witness denied the suggestion. Subsequently the Defense declined to cross-examine the witness.

Today the Tribunal additionally  took cognizance of the Formal Charges submitted against AKM Yusuf and issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest .They requested that law enforcement  produce AKM Yusuf by 26 May 2013.

AKM Yusuf was produced before the Tribunal in the afternoon and the Tribunal sent him  to the jail to be detained until trial. The decision to send him to jail was made in-chambers.