Pursuant to the orders of the Court, following the final verdict against him, Abdul Quader Molla was executed today, at 10:01 PM Bangladesh local time.
Category Archives: Trial of Abdul Qader Molla
12 December 2013: ICT-2 Update – Abdul Quader Molla, Execution Imminent
This morning, the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division dismissed the request to review a petition on behalf of Quader Molla, who has been sentenced to death by the ICT. This marks the final opportunity to seek review of his case. Execution is expected to be carried out tonight, despite Defence counsel is claims that execution cannot legally be carried out until the full order of dismissal is communicated by the Supreme Court. Defense Counsel have further asserted that, even if the full order is communicated today, questions remain about the applicability of a Jail Code that would accord further time to the accused for seeking President’s mercy.
The political situation in the country is tense and there have been outbursts from of Pro-Jamaat lawyers in the court.
10 December 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of Abdul Quader Molla, Supreme Court Sentence Received and Warrant of Execution Issued; AKM Yusuf, Examination of PW-17
Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:
- Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Quader Molla
- Chief Prosecutor vs. AKM Yusuf
Due to ongoing unrest and blockades, our researcher was unable to be physically present in court this day. Accordingly, our coverage was compiled from direct communication with the Tribunal and the Parties to the proceedings.
Today the ICT received the case record of Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Quader Molla from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, along with the Appellate Division’s full Judgment and Order, dated 17 November 2013, in the appeal against conviction (Criminal Appeal Nos. 24-25 of 2013) from Abdul Quader Molla. In its Judgment, the Supreme Court, which is the highest court of appeal, converted the sentence from imprisonment for life, conferred by ICT-2, to “sentence of death.”
The Tribunal also recorded testimony today from PW-17 in the case against AKM Yusuf.
Judgment of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Following the Judgment and sentencing passed on 5 February 2012 by ICT-2 against Abdul Quader Molla, the State filed Criminal Appeal No. 24 of 2013 seeking enhancement of the sentence from life imprisonment, and appealing against an order of acquittal that had been issued in respect of Charge 4. The Defense filed Criminal Appeal No. 25 of 2013 appealing against conviction of Quader Molla.
The Appellate Division unanimously found in favor of the State’s Appeal, and elected by a 4 to 1 majority to change the sentence from imprisonment for life to death. The Appellate Court further set aside the order of acquittal on Charge 4, instead finding the Accused guilty of the charge, and sentencing him to life imprisonment on that count.
The Appellate Division unanimously dismissed the Defense appeal against conviction on Charge 6, and held by a 4 to 1 majority that the conviction and sentence passed in respect of Charges 1, 2, 3 and 5 should be maintained.
A full copy of the judgment of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court can be accessed here: Abdul Quader Molla-SC Appellate Division Judgment
Warrant of Execution of Passed
Upon receiving the Appellate Division’s full judgment, ICT-2 instructed the Registrar of the Tribunal to immediately issue a Warrant of Execution on the death sentence. It ordered the Registrar to ensure quick transmission of the Warrant of Execution to the prison authority, directing the Registrar to return the warrant to the Tribunal with an endorsement certifying that the sentence has been executed. The Court also ordered that the Judgment and Order of the Appellate Division be transmitted to the Dhaka District Magistrate and the Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs for information and necessary compliance with the law.
A copy of the “Warrant of Execution”, issued by ICT-2 can be accessed here: Death warrant of Abdul Quader Molla
Switching cases, ICT-2 moved on to recording the examination-in-chief of PW-17 in the case against AKM Yusuf, after the cross-examination of PW-16 was closed because senior defense counsel was absent, once again. Continue reading
Weekly Digest: Issue 3 – February 3-7 2013
This week was dominated by the second Judgment of the ICT, issued by Tribunal 2 in the case of Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Qader Molla. The Judgment was issued on February 5th. The Accused was found guilty of 5 of 6 charges, all counts of crimes against humanity. Closing arguments in the case were completed on January 17, 2012. The Judgment was issued less than three weeks after the close of the case. Qader Molla was sentenced to life imprisonment. This report contains detailed analysis of the verdict and the factual and legal conclusions contained within it.
Tribunal 1 heard matters in the Gholam Azam, Nizami, and Chowdhury cases as well as a request from The Economist for additional time to respond to contempt proceedings related to its publication of the alleged Skype and email conversations between the former Chairman and expatriate Bangladeshi lawyer, Ahmed Ziauddin. In addition to issuing the Qader Molla Judgment, Tribunal 2 also dealt with ongoing contempt proceedings against Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and BNP leader MK Anwar, and issued an Order to Jamaat to explain comments made by its Central Executive member and Assistant Secretary General of Dhaka or face contempt.
Read the full weekly report here: Weekly Digest, Issue 3 – Feb 3-7
17 Feb 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Contempt Proceedings vs. Ziauddin, Qader Molla Application for Review
Today the Tribunal heard the following matters:
- Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim: Request to adjourn due to illness of the Prosecutor (Accused Not Present)
- Contempt Proceedings vs. Dr Ahmed Ziauddin: (Accused Not Present)
- 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
The Bangladesh Trial Observer 