The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has deferred its verdict on Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami due to his illness. ICT-1 Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim said that they have received a letter from the prison authorities about Nizami’s illness, in view of which they are not willing to announce their verdict on him. He said that they have sought a report on Nizami’s health condition. “We have heard statements from the prosecution and the defence. We also saw the jail authorities’ letter. We don’t find it logical to give the verdict in this situation,” the judge told the court. He said the verdict would be kept pending. Mohammad Ali represented the prosecution at the hearing while Mizanul Islam stood for the defence. “The issue is under the tribunal’s jurisdiction. The tribunal can take any decision,” Ali told reporters. The defence counsel said that they don’t think the verdict can be pronounced if Nizami is not able to attend the court. “Because, he was present in the hearings and now is in court custody, it would be unfair to pronounce the verdict in his absence” defence counsel Islam told reporters after the hearing. –bdnews24.com
