The war crimes tribunal yesterday grilled Jamaat-e-Islami Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer AKM Yusuf about Abdul Motaleb Malik-led cabinet where the accused had served as revenue minister during the 1971 Liberation War.
The tribunal called Yusuf from the accused dock to the witness box (next to the judges’ seat) after cross-examination of the prosecution’s last witness.
As the International Crimes Tribunal 2 Chairman Justice Obaidul Hassan asked him about the size of the Malik Cabinet, the accused in a feeble voice said he could not remember.
The tribunal chairman clarified him saying: “Not for the purpose of the case, but for the sake of knowledge we are asking you some questions as you are the lone surviving member of that cabinet.”
Justice Obaidul asked him why all the cabinet members had resigned on December 14, only two days before the country’s independence. Yusuf replied that they had decided to resign observing the country’s situation.
The tribunal also enquired about his health. Yusuf, 84, said he had been better than earlier.
Later it set February 4 to begin deposition of defence witnesses. The tribunal has allowed the defence to produce three witnesses. In the beginning of the trial, the defence team had submitted a list of 56 witnesses.
According to the Bangabhaban website, then president and CMLA Gen Yahya Khan appointed AM Malik as governor of erstwhile East Pakistan on August 31, 1971. He took oath of office on September 3.
An ophthalmic surgeon by profession, Malik had retired from diplomatic post in 1967. In August 1969, he was inducted as Pakistan’s Minister for Health, Labour, Works and Social Welfare and continued to hold office until February 1971. In July 1971, he was appointed as special assistant for displaced persons.
Malik along with his cabinet resigned on December 14 and sought refuge in Hotel Intercontinental [now Ruposhi Bangla], seeking the protection of the Red Cross flag.
Earlier in the day, defence counsel Mizanul Islam cross-examined Investigation Officer Md Helal Uddin. He was the 27th and last prosecution witness in the war crimes case against Yusuf.
Mizanul suggested that the IO was using state power and had produced false witnesses. Helal said it was not true.
Yusuf, the alleged founder of razakar force – an auxiliary force of the Pakistani occupation army – and Peace Committee in Khulna region, was indicted on August 1, 2012 on 13 charges of crimes against humanity. He was the second man in Jamaat chain of command during the war. The IO in his deposition said Yusuf had established peace committees in every upazila and union.
Meanwhile, yesterday was fixed for passing order on the indictment of war crimes accused and former Jatiya Party state minister Syed Md Qaisar. The tribunal set Sunday for passing order on the matter.