The International Crimes Tribunal 2 yesterday came down heavily on a prosecution lawyer as he was not seemingly prepared enough to place his legal arguments before it in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdus Subhan.
While placing his legal arguments, prosecution lawyer Ziad Al-Malum was trying to show the accused’s key role in all nine charges.
Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah then asked him why it was necessary to show Subhan’s “superior status” in the charges if the prosecution could prove that Subhan had committed the crimes by himself.
Prosecution lawyer Malum failed to give any satisfactory answer and he was seen trying to look at the case documents to give answers.
Mozibur said: “You [Malum] have to have the knowledge about the case [when placing your legal arguments]. If you give answers by reading case documents, the whole time will pass by doing it.”
At another point, quoting from the fifth charge brought against Subhan where it is said that Pakistani Army was Subhan’s subordinate, Justice Mozibur asked how Pakistany Army was Subhan’s subordinate.
Ziad Al-Malum replied that Subhan showed Pakistani army in the crimes. It proves that Pakistani army was Subhan’s subordinate.
Mozibur Rahman expressed his dissatisfaction with the answer, saying it could not be “superior responsibility”. Prosecution lawyer Malum replied that he was not a pea nut vendor.
Mozibur Rahman again said, “It cannot be your legal arguments.”
Justice Obaidul Hassan, chairman of the tribunal, advised the lawyer to use legal language before the court.
The three-member tribunal adjourned the case proceedings until today.
