The International Crimes Tribunal 2 yesterday cautioned Abdus Sobhan Tarafder, counsel for war crimes accused Syed Mohammad Qaisar, for passing comments during the trial proceedings.
When another defence counsel SM Shahjahan was giving his submission before the court, Sobhan made a comment though he was a non-conducting counsel on the day.
Chairman of the tribunal 2 Justice Obaidul Hassan warned him saying: “This is highly contemptuous..Do not do this or we will throw you out of the courtroom.”
Qaisar, a former state minister for agriculture during HM Ershad’s regime, was indicted on February 2 on 16 charges of crimes against humanity. A total of 32 prosecution witnesses testified against the accused. The defence did not place any witness.
During his submission on the closing arguments for the third day, Shahjahan reiterated his claim that there had been no “Qaisar Bahini” operational in Habiganj during the 1971 Liberation War.
Most of the prosecution witnesses said they had seen the killings from hideouts. The counsel doubted whether the witnesses had seen the incidents properly. They also said Qaisar’s men had been present at the scenes, but not “Qaisar Bahini,” Shahjahan said.
He also mentioned a book titled “Muktijudhhe Habiganj” and said the reference of the book had contradicted with some of the prosecution submissions.
Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah then asked him: “When the witnesses say they saw the incidents, what should the tribunal consider? Witness or documents or books?”
Shahjahan failed to give any specific answer. The tribunal chairman then asked him to give a straight answer. Justice Obaidul also asked the defence to end their argument by today.
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 Bahini” had acted like the notorious razakar force that collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces.
