Azhar’s counsel concludes legal arguments
BSS, Dhaka :
Advocate Shishir Munir, counsel for Jamaat leaders ATM Azharul Islam, on Sunday concluded placing legal arguments in support of his client at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1.
After his arguments, the ICT1, headed by Justice M Enayetur Rahim, adjourned the hearing till September 18, accepting a time plea from the prosecution.
While arguing on the prosecution plea for compensating a victim of Azhar’s crimes, advocate Munir mentioned there is no provision of compensation in penal code.
“I have scrutinized each section of the penal code. There is provision of fine but not compensation. It ultimately goes against the act of 1973,” he said.
“In charge number 4, where my client was accused of abetting the abduction and killing of teachers of Rangpur Carmichael College, one witness testified that she saw Azhar standing in front of their house. Mere appearance is not necessary to fix up the charges against my client,” Munir added.
The defence counsel also pointed out the contradiction in testimonies given by a war heroin first to investigation officer, then before the tribunal.
The prosecution concluded their part of arguments on August 26, seeking death for Azhar for his wartime crimes.
A total of 19 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified against Azhar. Of them the prosecution declared their 7th witness hostile.
On the other hand, the defense produced one Anwarul Haque, a distant relative of Azhar, as their sole defense witness and exhibited their defense documents through him.
The ICT-1 on November 12, 2013, indicted Azhar for committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation and framed six charges.
According to the prosecution, Azhar, now 61, was commander of Rangpur district unit of Al-Badr during the War of Liberation. Hailed from Batason Lohanipara under Badarganj upazilla of Rangpur, Azhar was arrested from his Moghbazar residence in the capital on August 23, 2012 and produced before the tribunal three days later. He has been in jail since then.
Advocate Shishir Munir, counsel for Jamaat leaders ATM Azharul Islam, on Sunday concluded placing legal arguments in support of his client at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1.
After his arguments, the ICT1, headed by Justice M Enayetur Rahim, adjourned the hearing till September 18, accepting a time plea from the prosecution.
While arguing on the prosecution plea for compensating a victim of Azhar’s crimes, advocate Munir mentioned there is no provision of compensation in penal code.
“I have scrutinized each section of the penal code. There is provision of fine but not compensation. It ultimately goes against the act of 1973,” he said.
“In charge number 4, where my client was accused of abetting the abduction and killing of teachers of Rangpur Carmichael College, one witness testified that she saw Azhar standing in front of their house. Mere appearance is not necessary to fix up the charges against my client,” Munir added.
The defence counsel also pointed out the contradiction in testimonies given by a war heroin first to investigation officer, then before the tribunal.
The prosecution concluded their part of arguments on August 26, seeking death for Azhar for his wartime crimes.
A total of 19 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified against Azhar. Of them the prosecution declared their 7th witness hostile.
On the other hand, the defense produced one Anwarul Haque, a distant relative of Azhar, as their sole defense witness and exhibited their defense documents through him.
The ICT-1 on November 12, 2013, indicted Azhar for committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation and framed six charges.
According to the prosecution, Azhar, now 61, was commander of Rangpur district unit of Al-Badr during the War of Liberation. Hailed from Batason Lohanipara under Badarganj upazilla of Rangpur, Azhar was arrested from his Moghbazar residence in the capital on August 23, 2012 and produced before the tribunal three days later. He has been in jail since then.
