Tried for wartime crimes, not for political identity

The tribunal is trying people for their role and involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971 not for their political identities, Chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-1 Justice M Enayetur Rahim said yesterday.

Before reading out the summary of the 158-page verdict in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, the tribunal also suggested the aggrieved party go to the appellate division instead of throwing violent programmes or putting pressure on the judges to give verdict in their favour.

It is not possible to make each party happy in a criminal case, the tribunal chairman said.

In his five-minute-long introductory speech, Justice Enayetur Rahim said, “We give verdict analysing evidence and testimonies and providing explanation of [corresponding] act. If there is any deviation, a person can go to higher court legally.”

“We don't expect people, who believe in the rule of law, will declare any violent programme if verdict goes against them,” he said, adding that people should not create a situation that puts pressure on judges.

“After the verdict, we see reaction in one or two local media and some foreign media. The way these media present verdicts show that the tribunal is trying country's Islamic scholars or leaders of Islamic party,” he said.

“But it is not right,” the tribunal chairman said.

“While trying people for their involvement in crimes against humanity, we don't consider who the person is or what his political identity is”, Justice Enayetur Rahim said.

He added, “Verdict could not be changed by writing editorial or giving speeches. If one is not satisfied with the verdict, he or she can go the appellate division.”