Argument placing against Azad Dec 23

 

International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday fixed December 23 for placing arguments against war crime suspect Abul Kalam Azad.
The tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan fixed the date as it completed recording of cross-examination of the last prosecution witness Noor Hossain, who is also investigation officer of crimes against humanity case against Azad also known as Bachchu Razakar.
IO Noor Hossain gave testimony to the court Tuesday.
After completion of the testimony of the prosecution witness, defence witness was supposed to place testimony, the tribunal said.
But Abdus Shukur Khan, the state-appointed defence counsel, failed to submit any list of defence witness as the family of Azad did not cooperate him.
So, the tribunal fixed December 23 for placing prosecution arguments, the tribunal said.
According to the ICT (tribunals) Act 1973, tribunal will pronounce verdict after hearing both prosecution and defence arguments.
On October 7, the tribunal decided to hold the trial of the expelled Jamaat-e-Islami member in absentia as he did not appear before it even after publication of newspaper advertisements asking him to do so.
On November 4, the tribunal indicted Azad with eight charges of crimes against humanity including genocide, murder and rape committed during the war.