The defence of top war crimes suspect Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday claimed that armed group al-Badr had been formed by razakars, non-Bangalees and madrasa students, not those from Islami Chhatra Sangha.
During the closing arguments at the International Crimes Tribunal 1, defence counsel Mizanul Islam claimed that Nizami, former chief of theChhatra Sangha –Jamaat- e-Islami’sstudent wing at the time, had no involvement with the group.
Apara militia force, al-Badr sided with the Pakistani occupation forces during the 1971 War of Independence and is blamed for the systematic abduction and killing of pro-liberation people, especially noted intellectuals.
The prosecution in their arguments said Nizami masterminded the formation of al-Badr with members of IslamiChhatra Sangha.
Mizanul pointed out discrepancies in the prosecution’s argument claiming they had identifiedboth Nizami and convicted Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed as top leader of al-Badrat the same time.
He claimed that in reality the al-Badr force comprised of razakars,people from non-Bengali communities especially the Biharis, and madrasa students.“Nizami had no involvement with that.”
The defence lawyer said: “The investigation officer of the case admitted during cross-examination that Nizami was a civilian during the whole nine months of the war. So how can a civilian be the chief of an armed group like al-Badr?”
Terming the case “politically-motivated,” he said the case had been planned at the Prime Minister’sOffice and that they had proof. Prosecution witness ShamsulHaqueNannu had unveiled the conspiracy but the tribunal did not take it as evidence.
The defence counsel sought adjournmentjust before lunch break. The tribunal accepted the plea and set March 19 for the next hearing. It also asked the defence to finish its arguments by March 20.
The prosecution in this trial concluded their arguments on Wednesday, identifying the Jamaat chief as the ringleader,deserving ofcapital punishment.
Nizami was indicted on May 28, 2012 on 16 counts of crimes against humanity including murder, rape, arson and inciting violence.
Both the prosecution and the defence are taking part in closing arguments for a second time. A verdict was due on November 13 last year, but the tribunal is hearingthe arguments afresh, as the former chairman went on retirement before delivering a verdict in the case.
Meanwhile, tribunal 2 deferred the hearing in the trial of war crimes accused Syed MdQaisaruntil March 19 upon a defence plea, since conducting lawyer AbdusSobhanTarafder has been sick.