Placing of closing arguments, after which will come the verdict, began yesterday first by the prosecution in the war crimes case against Jamaat leader Abdus Subhan before International Crimes Tribunal-2.
The first charge, the trial's background and Subhan's status and his alleged role in the crimes committed in Pabna during the 1971 Liberation War were heard. The Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-ameer has denied the nine charges, including genocide.
The prosecution says in 1971, Subhan was the Jamaat ameer of Pabna and general secretary, later promoted to vice-chairman, of anti-liberation organisation Pabna Peace Committee.
Yesterday Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arief Tipoo said Subhan, as the top Jamaat and Peace Committee leader, had close relations with Razakar and Al-Badr Bahini, two auxiliary forces of the Pakistan occupation army, in Pabna.
Using his superior status, he not only assisted the Pakistani army but also committed crimes.
Citing prosecution witnesses' testimonies, Prosecutor Sultan Mahmud Simon said Subhan was the “chief controller” of Razakar force in Pabna and had organised the anti-liberation forces there.
“He was directly involved in killings and genocide and sometimes used his personal gun to kill people,” he added.

On the first charge over the killings of Moazzem Hossain and others in Pabna, Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman cited testimonies of three of the prosecution's eyewitnesses.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan with members Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Shahinur Islam adjourned proceedings till today.

TRIBUNAL REBUKES DEFENCE COUNSEL
Meanwhile, the tribunal rebuked Mizanul Islam, who represented convicted war criminal and Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, for his comments in media following the November 2 death penalty for Quasem's crimes against humanity in Chittagong in 1971.
 “We had seen your briefing on television...As an officer of the court, you can not say what you have said quoting your client...We intended to issue contempt rule against you,” Justice Hassan said.
But the court did not proceed as Mizanul Islam said “sorry”.