Motiur Rahman Nizami, ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, was involved in the formation of so-called ‘peace committee’ during the independence war against Pakistan in 1971.
He went to a school at Sathia, Pabna to form the local peace committee on May 10, 1971, prosecution witness-9 Mohammad Ainul Haque told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Sunday. Ainul, locally known as BBC for immense interest in the news of that media, said in his deposition that he was the assistant teacher of Ruposhi Primary School during the liberation war.
“I saw 10 to 12 people including Nizami were sitting with the headmaster of my school on May 10, 1971. The headmaster introduced Nizami to me and said they came to the school to form peace committee,” the witness said.
Asad, another collaborator, was also among them, he added.
After giving deposition, the 72-year-old witness also recognised Nizami in the dock. Later, junior defence counsel Advocate Tariqul Islam cross-examined him. Later, the tribunal was adjourned till May 27.
So far, the tribunal recorded depositions of only prosecution witnesses against Nizami since it had started hearing testimonies on August 26 last year.
Nizami is facing 16 charges of allegations on crimes against humanity including murder, extermination, torture, rape, deportation, confinement and conversion.
The tribunal-1 framed charge against the Jamaat leader on May 28 last year.
-With The Independent input
