Category Archives: Trial of Abdus Sobhan

31 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of Abdus Sobhan, Charge Framing; Chairman of ICT-1 takes Retirement

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

1.  Abdus Sobhan

Due to blockades and political unrest, after the opposition parties called a “march for democracy,” our researcher for ICT-1 could not safely travel to the Court to attend proceedings today.  The following coverage was compiled from limited media coverage of the hearing that took place.

In the case against Abdus Sobhan, the Tribunal framed 9 charges against Sobhan and set 28 January 2014 for opening statements. However, the Chairman of ICT-1 went into retirement today, so he will step down from his position.  It is unclear when a replacement will be appointed to the post, and whether the Tribunal will convene in January in his absence.

18 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Abdus Sobhan, Charge Framing

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan

In the case against Abdus Sobhan, today was set for passing an order on charge framing. However, the Tribunal announced that they had been unable to prepare the order in time, so they set 31 December 2013 for passing the order on charge matters, instead.

24 November 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Abdus Sobhan, Pre-Trial; Mobarak Hossain, Cross examination of PW-12

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain

Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan

In the case against Abdus Sobhan, today was set for further hearing on charge matters. The Defense placed their submission for discharging the Accused Abdus Sobhan from the proposed charges brought against him. Thereafter, the Tribunal set 18 December 2013 for passing an Order on charge matters.

Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain

In the case against Mobarak Hossain, the Defense cross-examined the investigation officer Shyamol Chowdhury, as Prosecution Witness 12. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 25 November 2013. Continue reading →

5 November 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, Closing Statements; Abdus Sobhan, Pre-Trial Submissions

Despite a 60-hour nationwide Hartal that kept ICT-2 out of session today, ICT-1 proceeded to hear matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan

In the case against Abdus Sobhan, today was set for defense hearing on charge matter. However, the Defense sought adjournment for a week. The Tribunal granted the motion and adjourned the proceedings of the case until 18 November 2013.

In the case against Motiur Rahman Nizami, the Prosecution continued submissions for the third day. The Prosecution made pre-trial submissions on charge 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 6 November 2013.

Continue reading →

25 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-26; Abdus Sobhan, Pre-Trial Submissions; Contempt Charges against Channel 24 and others

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Channel 24 and others

Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

In the case against Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-26, the Investigation Officer (IO) Abdur Razzak, began to record his testimony in Court.

Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdus Sobhan

In the case of Abdus Sobhan, the Defense sought leave to have privileged communication with his client on Saturday. The Tribunal granted the request.

Contempt Proceedings

Today the Prosecution filed a petition for contempt under section 11(4) of the ICT Act, read with Rule 45 of Rules of Procedure.  The contempt charges are against the Managing Director of Channel 24, Chief Executive Officer of Channel 24, Executive Director of Channel 24, Head of Programme of Channel 24, Episode Producer of Muktobaak broadcasted on 18 September 2013 at 11 am, Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Anchor Muktoback of Channel 24), Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (Trustee of Gonosastho Kendra), and Mahfuz Ullah (General Secretary of Center for Sustainable Development). The Tribunal heard the petition and set tomorrow for passing an order. Continue reading →