The defence ended cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness yesterday, who said war crimes suspect Mir Kashem and his cohorts had tortured pro-liberation people at Daleem Hotel in Chittagong City.
Md Sanaullah Chowdhury, 67, gave his deposition at the International Crimes Tribunal 2 on January 16.
After the end of the grilling by Mizanul Islam, the prosecution sought time for placing further witness. Later the tribunal adjourned the proceeding until February 2.
The witness said he had been freed after a week of confinement when he signed a bond mentioning that he would inform Kashem, the alleged al-Badr commander of Chittagong district, about the freedom fighters of the area.
Following his deposition, the tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam adjourned the trial until yesterday upon a defence plea.
During the questioning yesterday, Sanaullah said it was not true that Kashem had not had control over the members of razakar and al-Badr forces – collaborators of the Pakistani occupation forces. Defence counsel Mizanul suggested that from November 7, 1971 to the victory of Bangladesh, the accused had not been in Chittagong. The witness said it was not true.
Justice Shahinur Islam then asked the defence counsel whether he admitted that Kashem had been in Chittagong until November 6. The defence counsel replied in the affirmative.
On November 18, formal trial against the Jamaat executive council member, also key financier of the party, began with the prosecution’s opening statement. Kashem is facing 14 counts of crimes against humanity committed in Chittagong during the 1971 Liberation War.
