Charges not specific
The defence lawyer yesterday vehemently opposed the prosecution prayer to frame charge against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee in connection with the crimes committed during the liberation war in 1971.
Sayedee's counsel Tajul Islam told the International Crimes Tribunal that charge cannot be framed against his client as the allegations brought against him are not specific.
The tribunal held the hearing on charge framing against Sayedee and the defence lawyer has completed the first round of argument yesterday.
Sayedee was produced before the tribunal around 10:30am. After around five hours of hearing with a one-hour break, the three-member judges' panel headed by Justice Nizamul Huq fixed tomorrow for further hearing.
Tajul said the prosecutors did not clearly mention the times and dates of committing crimes by Sayedee during the liberation war and even the definition of crimes was not made clear.
“It is neither possible to try Delawar Hossain Sayedee nor frame charges against him on the basis of the allegations brought by the prosecution,” said Tajul.
He also said amendment should be brought in the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 in line with the related international laws to make it complete.
Replying to the allegation of the defence lawyer, prosecutor Syed Haider Ali said that the Act is enough to try such crimes and there are enough grounds to frame charges against Sayedee.
Arrested on July 30 last year, Sayedee is accused of killing, torching houses and other war crimes during the 1971 War of Independence.
Comments