2 December 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of AKM Yusuf, Cross-Examination of PW-13 Closed, Examination-in-Chief of PW-14

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. 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.

ICT-2 was scheduled to record the cross-examination of PW-13 in the case against AKM Yusuf. However, junior defense counsel, Mr. Gazi M H Tamim informed the tribunal that the senior counsel, Mr. Syed Mizanur Rahman, could not appear in court due to the hartal. The Tribunal elected to close the cross-examination of the witness, because junior defense counsel confirmed that he would be unable to proceed with the cross-examination in the absence of his senior counsel.

The Tribunal then proceeded to record the examination-in-chief of PW-14. The Court fixed 3 December 2013 for recording the cross-examination of this witness.   The Bench emphasized that, if the Defense chose to continue their absence on hartal and blockade days, the Court would continue in their absence, rather than sit idle. As it had done with PW-12 and PW-13, the Court would simply close the cross-examination of PW-14 and proceed to the next witnesses if Defense chose not to be present to conduct the questioning. Continue reading →

2 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – ATM Azharul Islam, Pre-Trial hearing on charge framing order

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. ATM Azharul Islam

In the case of ATM Azharul Islam, today was set for hearing a petition filed by Defense to review the charge framing order. However, the Defense sought an adjournment for two days saying that the senior Defense Counsel Abdur Razzak could not appear before the Tribunal due to personal difficulties. Once again, the “personal difficulties” explanation for Defense Counsel absence coincides with hartal or blockade days. The Tribunal allowed the request for adjournment.  Proceedings in the case are scheduled to resume 5 December 2013.

1 December 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Hartal Coverage of AKM Yusuf, Examination of PW-13

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following case:

  1. 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.

On this day, ICT-2 recorded the examination-in-chief of PW-13 in the case against AKM Yusuf. Junior defense counsel then began the cross-examination of the witness, but said that his senior would continue at a later date. The Tribunal fixed 2 December 2013 for continuing to record the cross-examination of the witness.  Continue reading →

1 December 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Mobarak Hossain, Defense Case-in-Chief; Channel 24 and others, Contempt Proceedings

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs. Mobarak Hossain
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs. Channel 24 and Others

Mobarak Hossain

In the case of Mobarak Hossain, today was set for recording the testimony of Defense Witness 1. However, the senior Defense Counsel of Mobarak Hossain was absent from the Tribunal, and the junior Defense Counsel sought adjournment, saying that senior Defense Counsel Ahsanul Huq Hena was unable to make an appearance due to illness.  Senior counsel is in Chittagong, according to the junior attorney, and her could not manage to come to Dhaka because of ongoing blockades. The Tribunal agreed to adjourn the proceedings of the case until 3 December 2013.

Contempt Proceedings

In the case of contempt charges against Channel 24, and various producers and guests of a television program on this channel, Mahful Ullah appeared before the Tribunal, as scheduled. Following his appearance, the Tribunal adjourned the proceedings of the case until 24 December 2013.