Defence for mercy

The defence of Jamaat leaders accused of war crimes yesterday sought unconditional mercy from the International Crimes Tribunal-1 instead of giving reply to two show-cause notices.
The tribunal fixed yesterday for hearing reply to the show-cause notices as to why contempt charges should not be brought against them for their 'misconduct' during case proceedings.
The tribunal held off the proceeding of the show-cause notices for good judgment till December 23. Defence counsel Tajul Islam, who was barred from entering the tribunal until yesterday since November 6 for his 'high-grade contempt', cannot appear before the tribunal till then.
The tribunal served a show-cause notice to three defence counsels -- Mizanul Islam, Tajul Islam and Tanvir Ahmed Al-Amin -- on November 6. Another show-cause notice was served separately to Tajul Islam on October 22.
Mentioning that Tajul has been appearing before the tribunal since the first day of proceeding, tribunal chairman Justice Md Nizamul Huq observed that his conduct was getting worse day by day.
“After the second notice [served on October 22], he was mentioned in several reports published in both local and international media which the tribunal has collected. All those reports, if taken into count, go against him,” Justice Huq added.
Justice Huq also said the statements on the tribunal's proceedings which have been given in the media are twisted and have drawn the tribunal's attention.
He added, “There won't be any benefit talking outside the tribunal. The tribunal's proceeding has been going on in its own way and it will continue.”
On November 5, the defence created a commotion at the tribunal over the alleged 'abduction' of a prosecution witness by plainclothes policemen and boycotted the courtroom when the tribunal took time to investigate the matter.
At one stage, the chaos forced the judges of the three-member tribunal to leave the courtroom.
While boycotting the tribunal, defence counsel Mizanul Islam repeatedly called Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arief Tipoo a 'liar'.
The same day Tajul told journalists the tribunal may have involvement in the 'abduction'.
Defence counsel Barrister Abdur Razzaq yesterday read out both the notices and the reply.
In his reply, Razzaq sought unconditional mercy from the tribunal saying Tajul and others had no intention to disrespect the tribunal.
Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah and President of Supreme Court Bar Association Zainul Abedin also appeared before the tribunal for Tajul and sought unconditional mercy.
Admitting that the tribunal's dignity is also the counsels' dignity, Moudud said Tajul had made so many mistakes which should not have been done.
Zainul Abedin said the allegations are serious, adding that the show-cause notices were enough for Tajul.
Razzaq pleaded that the tribunal lift its bar on Tajul and allow him to appear at the courtroom saying otherwise the defence may be prejudiced.
“We have not yet seen his absence causing the defence to be prejudiced,” Justice Huq responded.
Later, the defence placed argument in the war crimes case against Sayedee and exhibited defence documents in another case against former Jamaat ameer Ghulam Azam.