Tribunal starts hearing closing arguments

The proceedings of the case against Syed Mohammad Qaisar entered the final stage as the International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday began to hear the closing arguments.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Obaidul Hassan started hearing the arguments from the prosecution after the defence had completed cross-examination of the last prosecution witness in the case.

On completion of the testimony to the last prosecution witness, the defence usually produce their witness(es) to defend the accused, but Qaisar's lawyers declined to produce any witness in the case.

After the hearing of the closing arguments of both sides, the tribunal will either keep the case waiting for a verdict or set a date to that end.

Qaisar, the alleged founder of anti-liberation Qaisar Bahini, faces 16 charges, including genocide, committed in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria during the Liberation War.

Qaisar, who was a state minister of HM Ershad regime, however, pleaded not guilty before the tribunal.

As the defence counsel for Qaisar had completed cross-examination of the last prosecution witness, Monowara Begum, also the investigation officer of the case, prosecutor Rana Dasgupta started placing arguments yesterday.

Rana said father and maternal uncle of the accused were influential leaders of Muslim League, which always opposed movement for autonomy of the Banglees, and the accused, being inspired by their ideology, not only opposed the Liberation War for political reasons but also committed numerous crimes in 1971.

The accused fled the country towards the end of the Liberation War and returned after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said Rana, adding that a case was filed against Qaisar under the Collaborators Act-1972 for war-time crimes.

The defence said the accused was acquitted in the case.

Rana said the 16 charges brought against Qaisar are different from that with which he was charged under the collaborators act.

Citing testimonies of the first and second prosecution witnesses, Rana said Qaisar played a pivotal role in forming anti-liberation Peace Committee and Qaisar Bahini in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria to assist the Pakistan army.

The tribunal adjourned the case proceedings until today.