3 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Abdul Alim DW-3 Cross-Examination

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim

Tribunal 2 recorded the cross examination of DW-3, the son of the accused Abdul Alim.  Mr. Rana Das Gupta conducted cross-examination and posed various questions to the witness pertaining to matters regarding which he testified the previous day.

Cross-Examination

During the cross-examination, the witness replied to a question from the Bench by informing them that his father had surrendered to the authorities on 28 February 1972, following the government proclamation under the Collaborators’ Act of 1972. He said that a case was filed against his father under the aforesaid Act on 9 March 1972, but that he was subsequently acquitted due to inadequate evidence against him. He further testified that another case had been filed against the accused after the withdrawal of the first case, but the police gave the final report in his favor.

The witness denied the suggestion of Prosecution counsel that Alim had taken part in the provincial by-election in 1971 and had been elected uncontested. He did acknowledge that his father had contested the 1970 election as a candidate of Convention Muslim League, but had lost.  In response to further questioning, the witness said that he was not aware that his father had been the President of Jaipurhat Union Board before 1971 and the vice-chairman of Bogra District Council in 1971.

The conclusion of cross-examination of DW-3 marked the end of witness examination. The tribunal scheduled September 4, 2013 for the Prosecution closing arguments to commence.

2 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Abdul Alim DW-3 Examination, Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin, adjourned

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan & Chowdhury Mueen Uddin

Tribunal 2 was in session with just two Justices presiding: Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Md Shahinur Islam. Chairman Mr. Justice Obaidul Hassan remain on leave.

In the Alim case, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Mr Sazzad bin Alim, the son of accused Abdul Alim.  He gave testimony as DW-3. Mr Ahsanul Haque Hena conducted the examination-in-chief, which lasted for three and half hours. Mr. Rana Das Gupta formally commenced the cross-examination, but did not finish.  Cross examination is expected to continue September 3, 2013.

The case against Ashrafuzzaman Khan and Chowdhury Mueen Uddin was adjourned for the day after the Prosecution counsel failed to present the prosecution witness who was supposed to give testimony before the Tribunal.

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1 September 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Alim DW 2, Khan& Mueen Uddin PW 20

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Abdul Alim
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Ashrafuzzaman Khan &Chowdhury Mueen Uddin

In the Abdul Alim case, Tribunal 2 recorded the examination-in-chief and cross-examination of Defense witness 2. Additionally, in the case of Ashrafuzzaman Khan and Chowdhury Mueen Uddin, who are jointly being tried in absentia, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Prosecution witness 20. The witness’ testimony supports Charge 7, concerning the abduction and killing of Professor Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury.  The testimony also refers to the killing of Professor A.M. Munir Chowdhury, contained within Charge 8. Continue reading →

29 August 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Qasem Ali Pre-Trial, Azharul Islam Pre-Trial, Nizami PW 18

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Pre-trial Proceedings against Mir Qasem Ali
  2. Pre-trial Proceedings against Azharul Islam
  3. Chief Prosecutor vs. Motiur Rahman Nizami

In the case of Mir Qasem Ali the Tribunal was scheduled to issue its order on the Charge Framing of the case. However, the Defense previously requested additional time so that senior Defense counsel Abdur Razzak could attend. The Defense previously submitted a petition requesting that the order be scheduled for after 8 September so that senior Defense counsel Abdur Razzaq could be present to argue for the discharge of the case. The Prosecution opposed the application saying that law does not permit such a long adjournment. The Tribunal then passed an order scheduling its Charge Framing Order for 5 September 2013. In the meantime they stated that if Defense counsel Abdur Razzaq wished to appear before the Tribunal it would allow him to submit arguments in favor of discharging the case.

In the case of ATM Azharul Islam the Prosecution began their arguments on the framing of charges. The Prosecution read out the historical background of the case, claiming that in 1971 ATM Azharul Islam was a student of HSC at Karmicle College, the Rangpur unit President of Islami Chhatra Shangho, and the Al-Badr Commander of Rangpur district unit. The Prosecution has proposed 6 charges against ATM Azharul. After hearing these opening arguments the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until 3 September as the Defense submitted an application for adjournment at the beginning of today’s session.

In the case of Motiur Rahman Nizami the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Prosecution witness 18, Zahurul Haque. They then adjourned the proceedings of the case until 1 September 2013.  Continue reading →

19 August 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Investigation of Abdus Sobhan, Nizami PW 16

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

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

Today in the pre-trial proceedings against Abdus Sobhan the Tribunal was scheduled to receive either a progress report of the investigation of the Prosecution’s proposed Formal Charge against the suspect. The Prosecution submitted a progress report. They also filed an application requesting permission to interrogate the suspect in the safe home. The Tribunal set 22 August 2013 for arguments on this application.

In the case of Motiur Rahman Nizami, the Tribunal recorded the testimony of Md Jane Alam, alias Janu, Prosecution witness 16. He testified in support of Charge no 7. The Defense conducted its cross-examination. The Tribunal then adjourned the proceedings of the case until 25 August 2013.  Continue reading →