Defence counsels for Jamaat-e-Islami chief Matiur Rahman Nizami on Wednesday cross examined Shamsul Haque Nannu, the 11th prosecution witness in the case over alleged crimes against humanity committed by the then Jamaat student wing chief during the 1971 Liberation War.
Nannu, who was a freedom fighter from Nizami’s home district Pabna, accused the Jamaat leader in his June 20 deposition of helping the Pakistani occupation army in killing more than 450 people in three villages during the war.
In the cross examination held on Wednesday, he said the incumbent Jamaat chief headed Islami Chhatra Sangha at the time, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami which was founded and then headed by Abul A’la Maududi and that Nizami had formed an anti-liberation cell comprising of Jamaat and ICS men in Pabna even before the war broke out.
The 60-year-old could not remember who was the leader of the Pabna based group of Razakars, (auxiliary forces formed to aid anti-liberation activities,) but did state that one was formed at Pabna Alia Madrasa in July 1971. However he could not remember where the ICS headquarters were at that time.
Following the grilling, the two member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir adjourned the proceedings until Thursday.
Nizami was indicted on May 28 last year, on 16 counts of crimes against humanity including murder, rape, arson and inciting violence.
New witness against Alim
The prosecution brought in a new witness Wednesday to depose in the war crimes case against BNP minister Abdul Alim, who is accused of killing thousands of people in Joypurhat in collaboration with Pakistani army and of allegedly committing crimes against humanity in his capacity as peace committee chairman of the district during the 1971 Liberation War.
Rabiul Anam Khan, a cataloger of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), was placed against Alim as a seizure list witness. The prosecution exhibited a total of 24 copies of daily Janakantha, daily Sangbad and daily Bhorer Kagaj dated from 2000 to 2010.
The second tribunal adjourned the hearing until Sunday. Meanwhile, the prosecution submitted an application seeking inclusion of three further seizure list witnesses. After hearing, the tribunal accepted the plea as the defence raised no objection.