The prosecution has started placing their closing arguments in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdus Subhan at the International Crimes Tribunal 2.
On the first charge, the prosecution yesterday also placed their submission on historical background of the trial, Subhan’s status in 1971, and his alleged role in the crimes committed in Pabna during the Liberation War.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan – with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam – adjourned the case proceedings until today.
According to the prosecution, Subhan was the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Pabna unit in 1971. He was also the general secretary of Pabna Peace Committee, an anti-liberation organisation, and later became the vice-chairman of the committee in 1971.
Initiating the arguments yesterday, Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arif Tipoo said as the top leader of Jamaat and Peace Committee, Subhan had close relationship with the razakar and the al-Badr auxiliary forces in Pabna. Using his superior status, Subhan assisted the Pakistani army and was also personally involved in committing crimes during the war.
Citing from the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud Simon said Subhan was the chief controller of razakar force in Pabna and organised the anti-liberation forces there.
After his submission, another Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman also placed her arguments on the first charge that was related to the killings of Moazzem Hossain and others in Pabna. She also cited testimonies of three prosecution witnesses.
Following the completion of closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the tribunal will either keep the verdict waiting or will fix a date for delivering it.
Subhan, a nayeb-e-ameer of Jamaat, faces nine charges including genocide committed in Pabna during the nine-month-long war. Subhan, however, pleaded not guilty before the tribunal.