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.