Jamaat's students joined Al-Badr, Razakar
Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury yesterday said many members of Islami Chhatra Sangha, former student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, joined Al-Badr and Razakar during the Liberation War of 1971.
Misbahur, who himself was a member of Chhatra Sangha, revealed this while being cross-examined by the defence counsel of war crimes accused Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami at International Crimes Tribunal-1.
As a prosecution witness, Misbahur testified against Nizami on August 26. During the deposition, he said he left Chhatra Sangha when asked to join Al-Badr and that Nizami was the chief of Al-Badr in 1971.
Rzakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams were paramilitary forcers that assisted the Pakistani occupation army during the 1971 war.
In a reply during yesterday's cross-examination, Misbahur said he joined the conference of Chhatra Sangha in 1968 and 1969. About 80-88 activists were present in the 1968 conference, he added.
He also said he would provide the document of his membership to Chhatra Sangha if the investigation officer wanted.
As Mizanul Islam, a counsel for Nizami, asked him whether Islami Chhatra Sangha had any constitution, Misbahur said yes it had.
Answering another question, he said, “As far as I know Al-Shams was formed with students of an Islamic party. But the political party is not known to me.”
The defence counsel questioned Misbahur for about two hours and a half but could not complete the cross-examination.
Nizami, who is facing 16 charges for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, was present in court.
The three member tribunal led by Justice Md Nizamul Huq adjourned the proceeding till September 16.
Meanwhile, a counsel for war crimes accused BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury yesterday completed cross-examining the 10th witness, Nurul Absar.
Salauddin Quader is facing 23 war crimes charges. He was present in court yesterday.
The proceeding against him was adjourned till today.
UGANDA TEAM VISITS ICT-1
A four-member delegation of International Crimes Division of Uganda visited the International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday.
Deputy Registrar of the tribunal Mesbahuddin Ahmed said the delegates visited the tribunal to gather and share knowledge. “They have come to the tribunal to exchange their views and expert opinions," he said.
The team comprising Head of War Crime Division Justice Akiiki-Kiiza, Judge of High Court of International Crimes Division Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, Judge of High Court of International Crimes Division Justice Elizabeth Ibanda Nahamya and Assistant Registrar of International Crimes Division Judge Tadeo Asiimwe observed the trial proceeding all day long.
REACTION OVER ICT AMENDMENT ACT
Barrister Abdur Razzaq, chief defence counsel for all Jamaat leaders detained over war crimes charges, yesterday said if the proposed International Crimes (Tribunals) (Second Amendment) Act-2012 was passed, they would be deprived of justice.
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