DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver the verdict on Wednesday in the case against Mahidur Rahman and Afsar Hossain Chutu for their alleged crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.
ICT-2 on Tuesday fixed the date for procumbent of the verdict. Three-member ICT, headed by Justice Obaidul Hasan, chairman of the tribunal, will declare the verdict.
Earlier on April 22, after completion of the case proceedings, Justice Obaidul Hasan, chairman of the tribunal, said judgement has been kept CAV (Curia Advisari Vult), a Latin legal term which means the court wishes to be advised.
Defence counsel Abdur Sobhan Tarafder, on Wednesday, presented his arguments. Earlier on April 15 and 20, prosecutor Sahidur Rahman placed his arguments against Mahidur-Afsar.
In closing arguments, prosecutor Sahidur Rahman urged the International Crimes Tribunal-2 to hand “exemplary punishment” to the accused.
Mahidur and Afsar are now in jail.
The ICT-2 on December 11, 2014, indicted the duo, framing three charges of crimes against humanity. A total of 10 prosecution witnesses, including the investigation officer ZM Altafur Rahman, testified against them.
The prosecution on November 16, 2014, submitted formal charge against Mahidur and Afsar, bringing three charges, and the tribunal on November 24 took the charges into cognizance.
Three charges against Mahidur and Afsar:
First Charge: Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by hundreds of armed Razakars and Pakistani army, attacked the villages Chandshikari, Chamatol, Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola, and abducted 39 pro-liberation people in two phases on October 6, 1971.
The accused persons tortured the detainees in confinement and shot 24 people to death.
Second Charge said Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by armed Razakars launched a systematic attack at Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola and burnt down houses of the villages after looting on October 13, 1971.
According to third Charge, Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by 30 to 35 armed Razakars attacked the houses of Kalumuddin Mondol, Abdur Rashid, Gajal and Ilias Mondol of village Sherpur Vandar and detained and tortured them on November 2, 1971.
BDST: 1137 HRS, MAY 19, 2015
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