Category Archives: Trial of Motiur Rahman Nizami

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.

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4 November 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, Closing Statements; The Economist Magazine and Human Rights Watch, Contempt Proceedings

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. The Economist Magazine
  3.  Chief Prosecutor vs. Human Rights Watch                                               

Contempt Proceedings Against Human Rights Watch

Today, Md Assaduzzaman appeared on behalf of Human Rights Watch and informed the Tribunal that he had received power of Attorney from the organization. He further submitted that Human Rights Watch had received notice but had not gotten a copy of the order dated 2 September 2013, nor any documents relating to the contempt proceedings. He sought 8 weeks time for preparation. The Tribunal granted this, adjourning the proceedings of the case until 8 December 2013.

Contempt proceedings against The Economist

In the contempt proceedings against The Economist, the Tribunal issued a notice in December 2012, asking the South Asian Bureau Chief and the Chief Editor to reply why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. Appearing on behalf of The Economist, Barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan had submitted a reply to the Tribunal, which has been pending ever since. Today, 4 November 2013, had been fixed for the contempt proceedings, but they were pushed back to 8 December 2013 for further proceedings of this case.

Motiur Rahman Nizami

In the case against Motiur Rahman Nizami, the Prosecution made their closing arguments for the second day. The Prosecution made submission about the role of Nizami in 1971, as well as submissions in support of Charge 1. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 5 November 2013.

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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 →

30 September 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary –Motiur Rahman Nizami, PW-26; Human Rights Watch Contempt Proceedings; Mir Qasem Ali, Pre-trial Submisisons

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Human Rights Watch
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mir Qasem Ali
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

Contempt Proceedings

On 2 September 2013, the Tribunal issued a notice to Human Rights Watch Board of Directors, Executive Directors of Asia Division, Brad Adams, and Associate of Asian Division, Storm Tiv, asking them to submit an explanation within three weeks as to why contempt proceedings should not be brought against them for the publication of an article titled ‘Bangladesh: Azam Conviction Based on Flawed Proceedings: Analysis Outlines how Fair Trial, Rights of Accused Seriously Compromised’ regarding the judgment in the Gholam Azam’s case. Today, Md Asaduzzaman appeared on behalf of Human Rights Watch.  However, he informed the Tribunal that he had not yet secured a signed power of Attorney, so he sought additional time from the Court, before proceeding. The Tribunal agreed to adjourn the proceedings in this matter until 4 November 2013.  Continue reading →