Category Archives: Trial of A.M Alim

Weekly Digest: Issue 4 – February 10-14, 2013

This week’s digest details the ongoing progress of the Gholam Azam, Nizami, and Chowdhury cases in Tribunal 1. The Tribunal also heard matters regarding the ongoing investigations against Abdus Shobhan and Mubarak Hossain. In the Gholam Azam case the Prosecution completed its cross-examination of Defense witness 1 and the Tribunal scheduled February 17th for Closing Arguments, despite requests from the Defense for more time to produce additional witnesses. In the Chowdhury case the cross-examination of Prosecution witness 17 took place in-camera, and direct and cross-examination of Prosecution witnesses 19 and 20 was completed. The Nizami case experienced delays, as Defense counsel were unable to reach the Tribunal due to ongoing violence in the Palton neighborhood of Dhaka (where their offices are located).

Tribunal 2 heard the cross-examination of the Investigating Officer in the Kamaruzzaman case, who appeared in Court as Prosecution witness 18. In the  Mujahid case The Defense also cross-examined Prosecution witness 1. In the Abdul Alim the Defense cross-examined prosecution witness 10. The Tribunal additionally granted additional time to Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir to respond to contempt proceedings against him.

Read the full report here: Weekly Digest, Issue 4 – Feb 10-14

17 Feb 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Contempt Proceedings vs. Ziauddin, Qader Molla Application for Review

Today the Tribunal heard the following matters:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim: Request to adjourn due to illness of the Prosecutor (Accused Not Present)
  2. Contempt Proceedings vs. Dr Ahmed Ziauddin: (Accused Not Present)
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Qader Molla – Application for Review, Request for Certified Copies of Order for Appeal (Accused Not Present)

Today the the Prosecution in the Alim case requested adjournment for the day because the lead prosecutor is ill and in the hospital. The court then addressed contempt proceedings against Ahmed Ziauddin, the expatriate Bangladeshi lawyer alleged to have been involved in the skype and email conversations with former Tribunal 1 Chairman, Nizamul Hoque. The Tribunal also summarily rejected Qader Molla’s application for review of the 5 February 2013 Judgment. Thereafter they heard a request from Qader Molla’s Defense counsel for certified copies of orders from the court for purposes of preparing his appeal. Continue reading →

Weekly Digest, Issue No. 1 – January 20-24, 2013

This is the first issue of the Weekly Digest, a summary of proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal that will be published on a weekly basis. These reports are designed to provide an overview of events in a digestible manner, suitable to those who want to stay abreast of the proceedings but do not have the time to follow the Daily Summaries.

This week the Tribunal issued its first verdict, the judgment in the Case of Chief Prosecutor vs. Abul Kalam Azad, alias Bachu. The Defendant was tried in absentia by Tribunal 2, and found guilty of six counts of crimes against humanity and one count of genocide. He was sentenced to death by hanging. Tribunal 1 primarily heard the Defense’s closing arguments in Chief Prosecutor vs. Delwar Hossain Sayedee. The Tribunal additionally addressed applications for the removal of Prosecutor Zead al-Malum among other matters.

Read the full report:

Weekly Digest, Issue 1 – Jan 20-24

Contents of Weekly Digest Issue No. 1
Cases Covered:
Tribunal 1: Sayedee, Nizami, Golam Azam, Chowdhury
Tribunal 2: Kalam Azad, Mujahid, Kamaruzzaman, Qader Molla, Abdul Alim

Applications and Orders:
Tribunal 1: Application for Removal of Prosecutor Zead al-Malum; Application for Contempt Proceedings against Ahmed Ziauddin; Application for Review of Order Denying Retrial; Application for Extension of Bail;

Tribunal 2: Final Judgment; Contempt Proceedings against MK Anwar and Sranjit Sen Gupta; Witness Testimony

Read the full report here:

Weekly Digest, Issue 1 – Jan 20-24

13 Feb 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Alim cross-examination of PW 10, Kamaruzzaman Applications

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim: Cross-examination of Prosecution Witness (Accused Present)
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Muhammad Kamaruzzaman: Hearing of applications  (Accused Present)

The court started the day’s proceedings with Mr Abdul Alim’s case wherein the prosecution witness PW-10, Mr Abu Sayeed Joarder was cross-examined by the Defense counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena. He previously testified in support of Charge-11 – murder as a crime against humanity in relation to allegedly directing an attack on the civilian population. The Defense counsel’s line of questioning aimed to undermine the reliability and credibility of the witness’s testimony.

The court then moved to the case against Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and heard two separate applications regarding access to documents. Thereafter the proceedings were adjourned due to the Defense counsel’s inability to reach the Tribunal because of ongoing violence in Dhaka.

Continue reading →

12 Feb 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Mujahid cross-examination of PW 1, Kamaruzzaman cross-examination of PW 18

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mujahid: Cross-examination of Prosecution Witness (Accused Present)
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim: Cross-examination of Prosecution Witness (Accused Present)
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Muhammad Kamaruzzaman: Cross-examination of Prosecution Witness  (Accused Present)

In the Mujahid case, Mr Shahriar Kabir, Prosecution Witness-1, was cross-examined by the senior Defense counsel Mizanul Islam. Kabir is the author of a book on liberation war titled “Ekatturer Ghatok o Dalal ra Ke Kothay” (Where are the collaborators and miscreants of 71), a book referred to by many other Prosecution witnesses and heavily relied upon by the Prosecution. He has been questioned about the documents he gave to the Investigation Officer and its source and authenticity. He was further asked about the formation “Gono-todonto Commission” (Public Enquiry Commission) on 26th March and the research and investigation procedure maintained in the publication of its reports.

Following Mujahid’s case, the court moved to Muhammad Kamaruzzaman’s case wherein Mr Abdur Razzaq, the Investigation Officer of the case and PW-18 was cross-examined by Defense counsel Mr Kaful Uddin Chowdhury. The Defense’s main line of questioning was aimed at attacking the reliability of various prosecution documents collected and compiled by the witness.

The cross-examination of the prosecution witness in the Alim case was delayed until tomorrow.

Continue reading →