Category Archives: Trial 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 →

23 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Zahid Hossain Khokon, PW-17 and PW-18

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon

Zahid Hossain Khokon

In the case of Zahid Hossain Khokon, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Iaqub Mollah, Prosecution Witness 17 and Chunnu Sheikh, Prosecution Witness 18. Both testified in support of Charge 9. The state-appointed Defense Counsel cross-examined the witnesses. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until 24 December 2013. Continue reading →

12 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Zahid Hossain Khokon, PW-16; Fakhrul Islam, Contempt Proceedings

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Fakhrul Islam   

Zahid Hossain Khokon

In the case against Zahid Hossain Khokon, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Kolom Sheikh, Prosecution Witness 16. State-appointed Defense Counsel then cross-examined the witness. The witness testified in support of Charge 6. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of this case until 23 December 2013.

Fakhrul Islam

In the contempt proceedings against Fakhrul Islam, Defense Counsel for Salauddin Qader Chowdhury, today was set for a hearing. However, Fakhrul Islam was absent from the Tribunal because he had been arrested on 20 November 2013 for alleged involvement in the leaking of a draft verdict passed against Salauddin Qader Chowdhury.  This charge has been brought against him under the Information and Communication Technology Act of 2006. Today, 12 December 2013, junior of Fakhrul Islam appeared on his behalf. The Tribunal set 12 January 2014 for the next hearing on contempt matters. Continue reading →

11 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Zahid Hossain Khokon, PW-14 and PW-15; Mobarak Hossain, DW-1

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

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

Due to blockades and political unrest over the anticipated execution of Abdul Qader Molla, our monitors could not safely travel to the Court to attend proceedings today.  The following coverage was compiled from direct communication with the parties to the proceedings, as even local media coverage of the proceedings was scant for this day.

In the case against Zahid Hossain Khokon, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Prosecution Witness 14 and Prosecution Witness 15. The state-appointed Defense Counsel cross-examined both witnesses. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 12 December 2013.

In the case of Mobarak Hossain, today was set for recording the testimony of the Defense Witness 1. However, the senior Defense Counsel for Mobarak Hossain was absent, and the junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment on behalf of his senior. The Tribunal granted the motion, and adjourned the proceedings in the case until 15 December 2013.

10 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of Zahid Hossain Khokon, PW-12 and PW-13

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Zahid Hossain Khokon

Due to blockades and political unrest over the anticipated execution of Abdul Qader Molla, our monitors could not safely travel to the Court to attend proceedings today.  The following coverage was compiled from direct communication with the parties to the proceedings, as even local media coverage of the proceedings was scant for this day.

In the case of Zahid Hossain Khokon, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Prosecution Witness 12 and Prosecution Witness 13. The state-appointed Defense Counsel cross-examined both witnesses. Thereafter, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until tomorrow, 11 December 2013.