NN ONLINE:
Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, has begun testifying against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal. The proceedings concern alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July–August period, which led to Hasina fleeing the country.
Rahman arrived at the tribunal at 10:45 am on Monday, with his testimony starting at 11:20 am before a three-member panel chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, Chairman of Tribunal-1. The session had been rescheduled from the prior Wednesday after prosecutors requested more time due to witnesses’ personal circumstances.
Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), is also expected to testify, with his appearance anticipated on Tuesday.
The tribunal formally framed charges and ordered the trial to commence on July 10 against three defendants: Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
Prosecutors have filed five charges of crimes against humanity, supported by an 8,747-page official charge sheet. A total of 81 witnesses are listed in the case.
In a notable development, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was granted permission to become a state witness after admitting that the “genocide” in July–August was carried out under orders from Hasina and Kamal. His testimony began on September 2 and was cross-examined through September 4.
To date, the tribunal has heard testimony from 45 witnesses, with six witnesses giving statements on September 9, the 14th day of the hearing. Since both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal are fugitives, the court appointed a state lawyer to represent them after they failed to surrender following a public notice published in two newspapers on June 16.
