BANGLADESH NEWS
The prosecution yesterday started placing their closing arguments in the
war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General
Muhammad Kamaruzzaman.
Placing a brief argument, chief prosecutor Ghulam Arief Tipoo said Kamaruzzaman was the “chief organiser of Al-Badr force” in greater Mymensingh during the Liberation War and was “utterly responsible” for the crimes committed against the people.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Judge M Shahinur Islam heard the argument before adjourning the proceeding until today.
The tribunal as per relevant laws will set a date for delivering the verdict after hearing the closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
Earlier, Abdur Rahim, fifth and last defence witness in the case, gave his five-minute testimony.
Recalling Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and martyrs of the Liberation War, Tipoo placed his 12-minute arguments.
He said some local aides who were mainly members of fanatic and right-wing political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League and PDP (Pakistan Democratic Party) conspired and collaborated with the Pakistani army and executed their plans during the Liberation War.
“Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami and its then student wing Islami Chhatra Sangha, pursuant to the plans and policies of the Pakistani soulless regime, substantially contributed, facilitated and committed international crimes,” he added.
The prosecutor said the crimes, which were committed during the nine-month-long war, could not have taken place in such a massive scale by an invading army without the active involvement of Jamaat and Chhatra Sangha.
“The [then] ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Prof Ghulam Azam along with other fanatic and rightist leaders like this present accused [Kamaruzzaman] formed Peace Committee, Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams, which acted as auxiliary forces to help the Pakistani occupation army in order to execute the same plans and policies,” he argued.
Kamaruzzaman had regular cooperation with the occupation army of Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur, said Tipoo, adding that he was one of those who “substantially contributed and facilitated” in the field level commission of the crimes in association with the Pakistani army.
“He [Kamaruzzaman] was the chief organiser of Al-Badr force in greater Mymensingh area. He was utterly responsible for the crimes committed against innocent Bangalees people, who supported independence of Bangladesh,” he added.
He claimed the prosecution had been able to prove the charges brought against Kamaruzzaman beyond any shadow of reasonable doubts.
Later, prosecutor AKM Saiful Islam, during his submission, gave a description how and which Pakistani officers had gone to greater Mymensingh during the war.
Saiful said in the course of Pakistani military deployment, Major Riaz and Major Ayub were under the command of Brig Qadir in Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur and two prosecution witnesses had mentioned the major’s names in their testimonies.
“Muhammad Kamaruzzaman was the chief organiser of Al-Badr in Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur and was seen operating, supervising and planning various operations along with Major Riaz and Major Ayub,” he added.
Kamaruzzaman had founded a good number of army, training and torture camps for Razakar and Al-Badr throughout Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur, Saiful added.
“That’s how the accused contributed effectively, as a superior, to committing the offences defined under section 3 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973,” he added.
When the prosecutor wanted to place “lengthy” arguments on historical matters, the tribunal asked him to place arguments on factual matters.
“If you have lack of preparation, you can seek an adjournment for today. But you have to complete your arguments within three days including today [yesterday],” the tribunal told the prosecution.
Later, the tribunal adjourned the proceeding until today when the prosecution are set to place further arguments.
‘FREEDOM FIGHTER’ UNAWARE OF RAZAKAR, AL-BADR
Earlier in the day, Abdur Rahim, who claimed himself as a freedom fighter, gave his testimony as the fifth and last defence witness in the case against Kamaruzzaman.
During his five-minute testimony, the 69-year-old witness from Mymensingh said he was a member of a voluntary team in Mymensingh after the Liberation War and discharged duty as the general secretary of that team.
“During the Liberation War and after that when I was serving as a volunteer I never heard from anyone that there was a Razakar or Al-Badr member by the name of Kamaruzzaman in Mymensingh,” said Rahim.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Saiful Islam asked Rahim only four questions.
“Were there any pro-liberation or anti-liberation forces in 1971?” asked Saiful.
Rahim replied in the affirmative.
“Do you have a freedom fighter’s certificate?” Saiful asked.
“No,” replied Rahim.
“Do you know that Razakar and Al-Badr forces were formed during the Liberation War?” asked Saiful.
“I don’t know,” replied the ‘freedom fighter’.
“You have given false testimony supporting Muhammad Kamaruzzaman,” suggested Saiful.
“It is not true,” replied Rahim.
Kamaruzzaman, who was indicted on seven charges of crimes against humanity, was produced at the dock.
ICT-1
The defence of Ghulam Azam yesterday completed placing their arguments on facts and evidence submitted by the prosecution to the International Crimes Tribunal-1.
The defence placed the arguments for the sixth day yesterday and would place arguments on law points from Wednesday.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir adjourned the proceeding until March 27.
Earlier, prosecutor Zead Al Malum distortedly pronounced the name of war crimes accused Salauddin Quader Chowdhury triggering a heated atmosphere at the courtroom.
The situation erupted when Azam’s counsel prayed to the tribunal that he would need the day for completing argument and prayed for an adjournment in the case against SQ Chowdhury until today.
The tribunal accepted his prayer.
At this point, Malum stood up and said, “The prosecution have an objection to the adjournment of Saka’s [SQ Chowdhury] case…”
Before he could say another word, SQ Chowdhury’s counsel raised objection to pronouncing his client’s name distortedly.
Member of the tribunal Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim told Malum, “It’s not right to call someone by distorted names.”
Malum replied, “It seems you don’t like me. Why do you admonish me for reasons and without reasons?”
“What are you talking about?” Justice Selim responded.
The tribunal chairman intervened and said, “What is going on? You may be aggrieved for some reasons but what are you saying in an open court?”
Justice Selim further said, “Do I have any benefit by admonishing you? How would you feel if you are also called by distorted name?”
The prosecution however offered their apology before the tribunal. Malum also said, “Sorry.”
Defence counsel Ahsanul Haque Hena yesterday filed a petition seeking police protection during shutdown and political programmes.
The tribunal fixed today for hearing on the petition.
Placing a brief argument, chief prosecutor Ghulam Arief Tipoo said Kamaruzzaman was the “chief organiser of Al-Badr force” in greater Mymensingh during the Liberation War and was “utterly responsible” for the crimes committed against the people.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Judge M Shahinur Islam heard the argument before adjourning the proceeding until today.
The tribunal as per relevant laws will set a date for delivering the verdict after hearing the closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
Earlier, Abdur Rahim, fifth and last defence witness in the case, gave his five-minute testimony.
Recalling Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and martyrs of the Liberation War, Tipoo placed his 12-minute arguments.
He said some local aides who were mainly members of fanatic and right-wing political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League and PDP (Pakistan Democratic Party) conspired and collaborated with the Pakistani army and executed their plans during the Liberation War.
“Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami and its then student wing Islami Chhatra Sangha, pursuant to the plans and policies of the Pakistani soulless regime, substantially contributed, facilitated and committed international crimes,” he added.
The prosecutor said the crimes, which were committed during the nine-month-long war, could not have taken place in such a massive scale by an invading army without the active involvement of Jamaat and Chhatra Sangha.
“The [then] ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Prof Ghulam Azam along with other fanatic and rightist leaders like this present accused [Kamaruzzaman] formed Peace Committee, Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams, which acted as auxiliary forces to help the Pakistani occupation army in order to execute the same plans and policies,” he argued.
Kamaruzzaman had regular cooperation with the occupation army of Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur, said Tipoo, adding that he was one of those who “substantially contributed and facilitated” in the field level commission of the crimes in association with the Pakistani army.
“He [Kamaruzzaman] was the chief organiser of Al-Badr force in greater Mymensingh area. He was utterly responsible for the crimes committed against innocent Bangalees people, who supported independence of Bangladesh,” he added.
He claimed the prosecution had been able to prove the charges brought against Kamaruzzaman beyond any shadow of reasonable doubts.
Later, prosecutor AKM Saiful Islam, during his submission, gave a description how and which Pakistani officers had gone to greater Mymensingh during the war.
Saiful said in the course of Pakistani military deployment, Major Riaz and Major Ayub were under the command of Brig Qadir in Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur and two prosecution witnesses had mentioned the major’s names in their testimonies.
“Muhammad Kamaruzzaman was the chief organiser of Al-Badr in Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur and was seen operating, supervising and planning various operations along with Major Riaz and Major Ayub,” he added.
Kamaruzzaman had founded a good number of army, training and torture camps for Razakar and Al-Badr throughout Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur, Saiful added.
“That’s how the accused contributed effectively, as a superior, to committing the offences defined under section 3 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973,” he added.
When the prosecutor wanted to place “lengthy” arguments on historical matters, the tribunal asked him to place arguments on factual matters.
“If you have lack of preparation, you can seek an adjournment for today. But you have to complete your arguments within three days including today [yesterday],” the tribunal told the prosecution.
Later, the tribunal adjourned the proceeding until today when the prosecution are set to place further arguments.
‘FREEDOM FIGHTER’ UNAWARE OF RAZAKAR, AL-BADR
Earlier in the day, Abdur Rahim, who claimed himself as a freedom fighter, gave his testimony as the fifth and last defence witness in the case against Kamaruzzaman.
During his five-minute testimony, the 69-year-old witness from Mymensingh said he was a member of a voluntary team in Mymensingh after the Liberation War and discharged duty as the general secretary of that team.
“During the Liberation War and after that when I was serving as a volunteer I never heard from anyone that there was a Razakar or Al-Badr member by the name of Kamaruzzaman in Mymensingh,” said Rahim.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Saiful Islam asked Rahim only four questions.
“Were there any pro-liberation or anti-liberation forces in 1971?” asked Saiful.
Rahim replied in the affirmative.
“Do you have a freedom fighter’s certificate?” Saiful asked.
“No,” replied Rahim.
“Do you know that Razakar and Al-Badr forces were formed during the Liberation War?” asked Saiful.
“I don’t know,” replied the ‘freedom fighter’.
“You have given false testimony supporting Muhammad Kamaruzzaman,” suggested Saiful.
“It is not true,” replied Rahim.
Kamaruzzaman, who was indicted on seven charges of crimes against humanity, was produced at the dock.
ICT-1
The defence of Ghulam Azam yesterday completed placing their arguments on facts and evidence submitted by the prosecution to the International Crimes Tribunal-1.
The defence placed the arguments for the sixth day yesterday and would place arguments on law points from Wednesday.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir adjourned the proceeding until March 27.
Earlier, prosecutor Zead Al Malum distortedly pronounced the name of war crimes accused Salauddin Quader Chowdhury triggering a heated atmosphere at the courtroom.
The situation erupted when Azam’s counsel prayed to the tribunal that he would need the day for completing argument and prayed for an adjournment in the case against SQ Chowdhury until today.
The tribunal accepted his prayer.
At this point, Malum stood up and said, “The prosecution have an objection to the adjournment of Saka’s [SQ Chowdhury] case…”
Before he could say another word, SQ Chowdhury’s counsel raised objection to pronouncing his client’s name distortedly.
Member of the tribunal Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim told Malum, “It’s not right to call someone by distorted names.”
Malum replied, “It seems you don’t like me. Why do you admonish me for reasons and without reasons?”
“What are you talking about?” Justice Selim responded.
The tribunal chairman intervened and said, “What is going on? You may be aggrieved for some reasons but what are you saying in an open court?”
Justice Selim further said, “Do I have any benefit by admonishing you? How would you feel if you are also called by distorted name?”
The prosecution however offered their apology before the tribunal. Malum also said, “Sorry.”
Defence counsel Ahsanul Haque Hena yesterday filed a petition seeking police protection during shutdown and political programmes.
The tribunal fixed today for hearing on the petition.
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