Tag Archives: Tribunal 2

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 →

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 →

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-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.