5 Feb 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Qader Molla GUILTY verdict

Today Tribunal 2 issued the second verdict of the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal. The verdict was issued against Abdul Qader Molla who was tried on 6 counts of Crimes Against Humanity.

The Tribunal found Qader Molla GUILTY on 5 of 6 Charges. He was found NOT GUILTY of Charge 4. The court sentenced Qader Molla to 15 years imprisonment for Charges 1, 2, and 3. They sentenced him to life imprisonment for Charges 5 and 6.

Tribunal’s Summary of Judgment available here: Summary of Molla Judgment
Full Judgment available here: Qader Molla Full Judgement

Continue reading →

4 Feb 2013: ICT-1 Daily Summary – Chowdhury PW 18, Gholam Azam Cross Examination of DW 1

Today the Tribunal heard matters in the following cases:

  1. Chief Prosecutor vs Salauddin Quader Chowdhury: Prosecution witness 18 direct testimony (Accused Present)
  2. Chief Prosecutor vs Professor Gholam Azam: Prosecution’s cross-examination of defense witness 1 (Accused not Present)

In the Salauddin Qader Chowdhury case, prosecution witness 18, Debabrata Sarkar, began and concluded his testimony before the Tribunal. Thereafter, the state appointed Defence Counsel sought adjournment and Tribunal adjourned the case until February 6. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury also requested that the Tribunal consider an application, to be filed by a family member, for his release on parole to attend the Janaga for his uncle.

After the lunch break, Prosecutor Haider Ali cross-examined defense witness 1, Abdullahil Aman Azmi , in the Gholam Azam case. The Tribunal then adjourned the proceedings until tomorrow, February 05. Continue reading →

4 Feb 2013: ICT-2 Daily Summary – Adjournment and Announcement of Upcoming Verdict in Qader Molla Case

The Tribunal 2 only convened for a very brief morning session, stating that it will not hear the scheduled cases. There was a “hint” that the Tribunal might deliver its second judgment the following day.

The Registrar of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mr AKM Nasiruddin Mahmud,  officially announced on Monday at 1:30 pm that the Tribunal-2 has fixed Tuesday, 5 February 2013 to issue the verdict in the case of Abdul Qader Molla. The closing arguments for the case were concluded last month on 17 January 2013.  Following its maiden judgment in the case of Abul Kalam Azad, alias Bachchu , passed on 21 January 2013, this shall mark the second judgment by this Tribunal. Tribunal 2 is comprised of f Justice Obaidul Hassan as the Chairman, Justice Mozibur Rahman Miah and Judge Md. Shahinur Islam.

It remains to be seen whether the judgment of the Azad case will be treated as judicial precedent to be followed in other ICT verdicts.

Under Section 21(1) of the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, defendants who are convicted by the Tribunal have the right to appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh within 30 days from the date of conviction. The prosecution will have right to appeal against acquittal under Section 21(2) of the ICT.