Category Archives: Investigation of Zahid Hossain Khokon

24 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Mobarak Hossain, DW-2; Contempt Proceedings against Channel 24 and others, and Khandaker Mahbub Hossain; Zahid Hossain Khokon, PW-19 and PW-20

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Channel 24 and Others
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Khandaker Mahbub Hossain
  4. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon

Mobarak Hossain

In the case against Mobarak Hossain, today was set for recording testimony from Defense Witness 2. However the senior Defense Counsel for Mobarak Hossain was absent, so his junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment. The Tribunal granted the motion and adjourned the proceedings of the case until 7 January 2014.

Contempt Proceedings

On 26 September 2013, the Tribunal issued a notice towards Channel 24 and others, asking them to give reply by 10 October as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. The order particularly asked Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury and Mahfuz Ullah to personally appear before the Tribunal to explain positions they represented about the Tribunal on a talk Show on Channel 24. The Court further ordered that Channel 24 not broadcast the impugned episode again.

Today, 24 December 2013, was set for a hearing on the matter. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, Trustee of Gonosastho Kendra was present at the Tribunal, however, Mahfuz Ullah, General Secretary of Center for Sustainable Development was absent. The Tribunal ordered Mahfuz Ullah to appear before 2 pm. When he did, the Tribunal set 28 January 2014 for further hearing on these contempt matters.

Another hearing was scheduled for today in the contempt proceedings against Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, but a lawyer representing Mr. Hossain sought adjournment for 4 weeks. The Tribunal granted the request and adjourned the proceedings of the case until 23 January 2014.

Zahid Hossain Khokon

In the case against Zahid Hossain Khokon, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Abdul Gafar Mollah (PW-19) and Prosecution Witness 20. Prosecution witness 20 gave testimony in camera. PW-19 testified in support of Charge 9, and was cross-examined by state-appointed Defense Counsel. Continue reading →

3 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Mobarak Hossain, Defense Case-in-Chief; Zahid Hossain Khokon, Prosecution Case-in-Chief

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon

Mobarak Hossain

In the case against Mobarak Hossain, today was set for recording the testimony of the Defense Witness 1. However the senior Defense Counsel for Mobarak Hossain was absent from the Tribunal once again, and the junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment for 3 additional days.  He gave the same explanation as on December 1, saying that senior Defense Counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena is in Chittagong, and could not manage to come to Dhaka due to the ongoing blockades. The Tribunal granted the adjournment, and scheduled 8 December 2013 to reconvene in the case.

Zahid Hossain Khokon

In the case against Zahid Hossain Khokon, today was set for recording the testimony of Prosecution witness 10, however the Prosecution submitted that the Prosecution witnesses could not come Dhaka due to the ongoing blockades.  Accordingly, they sought adjournment. The Tribunal granted this request, adjourning the proceedings in the case until 9 December 2013.

1 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Mobarak Hossain, Defense Case-in-Chief; Channel 24 and others, Contempt Proceedings

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Channel 24 and Others

Mobarak Hossain

In the case of Mobarak Hossain, today was set for recording the testimony of Defense Witness 1. However, the senior Defense Counsel of Mobarak Hossain was absent from the Tribunal, and the junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment, saying that senior Defense Counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena was unable to make an appearance due to illness.  Senior counsel is in Chittagong, according to the junior attorney, and her could not manage to come to Dhaka because of ongoing blockades. The Tribunal agreed to adjourn the proceedings of the case until 3 December 2013.

Contempt Proceedings

In the case of contempt charges against Channel 24, and various producers and guests of a television program on this channel, Mahful Ullah appeared before the Tribunal, as scheduled. Following his appearance, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until 24 December 2013.

13 November 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Motiur Rahman Nizami, Closing Arguments; Mobarak Hossain, Prosecution Case-in-Chief

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain

Motiur Rahman Nizami

In the case of Motiur Rahman Nizami, today was set for the Defense to continue closing arguments, but junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment once again on the ground of “personal difficulties.” The junior Defense Counsel submitted that his senior Mizanul Islam could not come to the Tribunal because he was ill. The Tribunal passed an order keeping the case in CAV (case awaiting verdict).  The order noted that, 3 days time had been fixed for closing argument by the Prosecution, and 4 days time for the Defense. The dates for the Defense arguments had originally been scheduled as 6, 7,10 and 11 November 2013. Defense Counsel failed to appear on the 6th, made partial submissions on the 7th, and then failed to appear again on the 10th, 11th and 12th.  The 13th of November was offered as the final chance for Defense to appear.  The order stated that the Tribunal cannot wait for an indefinite period of time for the so-called ‘personal difficulties’ of Defense Counsels.  Accordingly, the Court concluded that the Defense had forfeited the opportunity to make closing submissions orally. Counsel were invited to submit the rest of their arguments in writing to the Tribunal within 5 days.

Mobarak Hossain

In the case of Mobarak Hossain, today was set for further cross-examination of the Investigation officer. The junior Defense Counsel submitted that the Defense Counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena was in Chittagong and could not reach Dhaka due to ongoing nationwide Hartals. The Tribunal agreed to adjourn the proceedings of the case until 17 November 2013.

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 →