The war crimes tribunal yesterday gave accused AKM Yusuf four options to continue the trial process as the conducting defence lawyer remains absent for the last two weeks because of hartals and blockade.
The International Crimes Tribunal 2 asked Yusuf whether he would question the witness himself, order the junior counsel to cross examine, appoint new counsel or else the tribunal can appoint a new lawyer.
After recording testimony of the 15th prosecution witness, Sunil Kumar Dakua, 67, the tribunal asked junior defence counsel Gazi MH Tamim to cross examine the witness, who did not mention Yusuf’s name in his deposition.
Tamim began grilling the witness, but after some time he told the tribunal that he needed to consult the senior counsel to continue the cross-examination and sought adjournment for a day.
Expressing discontent, the tribunal then said conducting lawyer Mizanur Rahman had been absent since November 25 citing “personal difficulties.” The court proceedings cannot run this way.
The tribunal said political activities would continue “but we have to work. If this case runs this way, then it will be harmful for you. You cannot stay un-undefended. So we alert you.”
It asked Yusuf to respond to the options by tomorrow and set today for further proceedings in the case.
The same tribunal earlier cancelled cross-examination of three witnesses as the defence lawyers remained absent during the proceedings. The tribunal yesterday told Yusuf: “Everybody is doing their job amid the current political situation except for your counsel.”