The defence of alleged war criminal Syed Mohammad Qaisar yesterday claimed that there had been no collaborators’ group named “Qaisar Bahini” in Habiganj during the 1971 Liberation War.
While placing arguments at the International Crimes Tribunal 2, SM Shahjahan said there had been no reality to form such group by his client, a former state minister during HM Ershad’s regime.
“There was no existence of ‘Qaisar Bahini’ in Habiganj which used to accompany the Pakistani occupation forces in committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War,” he said adding that the prosecution had failed to prove the case.
During the second day of arguments, the defence counsel fumbled several times in the face of repeated questions by the tribunal. Shahjahan had failed to stay on track during his submission.
Qaisar was indicted on February 2 on 16 charges of crimes against humanity. A total of 32 prosecution witnesses testified against the accused. The defence refused to present any witness to defend their client.
The defence claimed that during the war, Madhabpur area had been under the surveillance of Protirodh Committee (resistance committee), led by Manik Chowdhury. His close aide was Madhabpur police officer Moslem Uddin. “Then, how can individual Qaisar form a bahini [force]?”
At the end of arguments, the tribunal asked the defence to complete their submission anyhow by tomorrow saying: “If you do not place your arguments quickly, you will be the looser. Then we will have to stop you.”
After the whole day session, the tribunal adjourned the trial until today keeping the argument incomplete.
On Thursday, Shahjahan in the beginning of the argument questioned the investigation process.
The defence also refuted the claims made by prosecution witness Tajul Islam, who identified himself as a member of “Qaisar Bahini” saying that such group had not existed.
According to the prosecution, Qaisar, 30/35 years’ old during the war, had formed “Qaisar Bahini” comprising 500-700 men and committed crimes against humanity in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria areas.
Qaisar was involved in the crimes as an individual or as a member of an individual group along with the Pakistani occupation forces, the prosecution says. His father and uncle were involved with the politics of Convention Muslim League.
“Qaisar Bahini” had acted like the notorious razakar force that collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces.
“After the war, the accused could not be found anywhere until the brutal killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members in 1975. Before and after that time he was working with the anti-liberation groups. The accused took part in the elections of 1979 and 1986,” prosecutor Rana Dasgupta said during the closing argument session.
