ICT-1 fixes 4 DWs for ATM Azhar

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Monday fixed 4 defence witnesses (DWs) for Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam from the list of 15 and asked the defence to submit the particulars of the 4 DWs by July 10. “The way you submitted the list without any particulars about the witnesses, it should have been rejected at the first place. Despite that we are accepting the plea,” said Justice M Enayetur Rahim, chairman of the three-member panel of the ICT-1, to Abdus Subhan Tarafder, counsel for Azhar.
The first tribunal also set July 13 for the start of examining the DWs. On Sunday, advocate Tarafder concluded cross-examining SM Ideris Ali, the investigation officer (IO) of the case. A total of 19 PWs testified against Azhar, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e- Islami.
Meanwhile, the first tribunal also set August 20 for submitting the final report on investigation in the case against Abdul Latif Talukder, Khan Akram Hossain and Sirajul Haque, alias Siraj Master. The tribunal set the date as prosecutor Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon sought 6-month more time to submit the report.
The first tribunal also accepted a petition of M Sarwar Hossain, counsel for Latif, to have privilege communication with his client in jail, and it also accepted a prosecution plea to grill Khan Akram in safe home.
In the meantime, at ICT-2, Monowara Begum, IO in the trial of Syed Md Qaiser, concluded her deposition and the defence started cross-examining her. The second tribunal adjourned the hearing till July 13, leaving the cross-examination incomplete. It also asked the defence to conclude the cross-examination by July 14.