The war crimes tribunal yesterday passed an order allowing three witnesses to testify in favour of Abdul Alim, the alleged chairman of Joypurhat Peace Committee during the 1971 Liberation War.
The International Crimes Tribunal 2 of Justice Obaidul Hassan, Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam also asked defence counsel Ahsanul Haque to provide the names of witnesses to the prosecution.
The defence earlier submitted a list of 3,328 people as witnesses.
Prosecution placed 35 witnesses against Alim. The 19th witness was declared “hostile” as he did not mention anything related to the accused.
Ahsanul yesterday prayed to the tribunal that they needed to place “an adequate number” of witnesses to disproof the charges against Alim.
The tribunal then said disproving the charges was not the responsibility of the defence, and that it was a negative assertion. “Rather the defence needs to establish their alibi.”
Arguing on the long list of witnesses, prosecutor Rana Das Gupta said it would only cause unreasonable delay in the trial procedure.
Alim who is enjoying conditional bail was in the dock.
Earlier in the day, Ahsanul cross examined Investigation Officer ZM Altafur Rahman for the fifth day. The questioning remained incomplete as the tribunal adjourned the proceedings till today.
Alim is facing 17 charges of crimes against humanity he allegedly committed in Joypurhat during the war.
