The International Crimes Tribunal has deferred the verdict in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami for his role during the 1971 Liberation War.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal 1 led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order keeping the case CAV, meaning “verdict would be delivered later.”
The tribunal made the decision after hearing the opinions of both the prosecution and defence lawyers on the basis of a letter of Dhaka Jail authority.
In its order, the tribunal said it would not be logical to deliver verdict in absence of the accused.
Earlier in the morning, the jail authority sent a letter to the tribunal authority informing about the sickness of the Jamaat leader.
Deputy Jail Super of Dhaka Central Jail Mohammad Lablu has brought the letter to the office of tribunal registrar around 10am.
In the letter, the jail authority stated that Nizami was physically unfit to be taken to the tribunal.
Defence lawyer Tazul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “As there is no provision in the ICT act to deliver the verdict in absence of the accused, the tribunal has deferred it.”
While contacted, State Prosecutor Mohammad Ali said the medical report of Nizami has reached the tribunal. He is suffering from high blood pressure and not being able to take to the tribunal. Considering his health condition, the tribunal did not pronounce the verdict today.”
The war crimes tribunal was set to deliver the verdict today. The three-member International Crimes Tribunal 1 led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim set the date Monday.
Nizami was indicted on May 28, 2012 on 16 counts of crimes against humanity including rape, murder, abduction and inciting violence committed in Dhaka and Pabna. The accused allegedly played a key role in setting up Peace Committee and razakar forces, meant to oppress the pro-liberation Bangalees.
According to the formal charges, Nizami had been the chief of Islami Chhatra Sangha, then Jamaat’s student wing, prior to October in 1971. Later he became the chief of All Pakistan Chhatra Sangha. Militia group al-Badr, which was responsible for the systematic killings of intellectuals, was formed with Chhatra Sangha members.War Crime
This will be the 10th verdict in war crimes cases to be announced by the two tribunals.
