After back-to-back judgements against professor Ghulam Azam and Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid, trials against BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, former BNP leader Abdul Alim and Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami are nearing completion at the International Crimes Tribunals (ICT). Apart from these, trials against former Awami League leader Mobarak Hossain and two expatriate war criminals — Ashrafuzzaman Khan and Chowdhury Mueen Uddin — are also progressing fast.
The deposition chapter in the case of Salauddin Quader is expected to end by the end of this month as only two defence witnesses are yet to testify. Qayum Reza Chowdhury, defence witness-3 against Salauddin Quader, is scheduled to be cross-examined by the prosecution on Sunday. The remaining two witnesses, Salman F Rahman and Justice Shamim Hasnain, are scheduled to testify after the cross-examination of Qayum, who placed his deposition on July 16, before the argument takes place, prosecution Advocate Sultan Mahmud Simon said.
Argument between the two parties — prosecution and defence — is the final phase of the trial, he said. After the argument the tribunal will take its time to deliver the final verdict. Reluctant to say about the possible time of the end of the trial, he said: “Most of the trial has ended. If everything goes well, it will not take much time to complete the process.”
Saluddin Quader, son of Convention Muslim League leader Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, is facing 23 charges of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed during the 1971 Liberation War. A total of 41 prosecution witnesses, including investigation officer Nurul Islam, testified against Salauddin from May 14, 2012 to June 13, 2013. Apart from that, the tribunal also accepted the statements of four other prosecution witnesses given to the investigation officer as their deposition against the accused person under Section 19 (2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973. Defence witnesses started giving deposition on June 17 this year.
Deposition of prosecution witnesses are going on in full swing against former BNP leader Abdul Alim and Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami. A total of 34 prosecution witnesses have already testified against Alim at the Tribunal-2. Alim is facing 17 charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, genocide, arson, torture, confinement and deportation. He was indicted on June 11, 2012.
As yet, 13 prosecution witnesses have given their deposition against Nizami, while the next witness is scheduled to appear at the Tribunal-1 on Sunday to testify against him. The tribunal framed 16 charges against the Jamaat chief.
Deposition of prosecution witnesses is at the preliminary stage against Awami League leader Mobarak Hossain and two expatriate suspects Ashrafuzzaman and Mueen Uddin. Six witnesses have testified against Mobarak, while two gave deposition against the expatriate duo.
Apart from them, six more suspects are under the process of trial.
The Tribunal-1 set July 25 to start charge hearing against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Kashem Ali, while the cognisance order will be passed against ATM Azharul Islam on July 24.
The Tribunal-1 took into cognisance charges against absconding BNP leader Zahid Hossain Khokon and issued an arrest warrant against him on July 18.
Investigation is going on against Jamaat leaders Abdus Sobhan, AKM Yousuf and Syed Mohammad Kaiser.
The two ICTs have already given their verdict against six Jamaat leaders for their 1971 misdeeds. The tribunals awarded death penalty for Abul Kalam Azad, Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid, and life imprisonment for Abdul Quader Molla and 90 years’ jail term for Ghulam Azam.
-With The Independent input
