The prosecution has begun reading out the allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee who is being tried by International Crimes Tribunal on charges of committing crimes against humanity during Bangladesh liberation war in 1971.
Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipoo and senior prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman yesterday read out 61 pages of the 88-page statement before the three-judge tribunal adjourned the proceedings. The hearing will resume this morning when the prosecution will complete its opening statement.
Sayedee is the first to stand trial from among the seven Jamaat and BNP leaders facing charges of crimes against humanity such as genocide, murder, rape, arson and torture during the war.
Six of the suspects are in jail, including Jamaat chief Motiur Rahman Nizami and BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury. Another BNP leader Abdul Aleem is out on bail for his illness.
Sayedee, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat, was charged with 20 counts of crimes by the tribunal on October 3. The charges include genocide, killing, rape, arson, abduction and torture of civilians during the war.
Sayedee, who has denied the charges, was present in the court during yesterday's proceedings.
Jamaat-e-Islami collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces which killed 30 lakh people and raped 2 lakh women during the nine-month war.
The prosecution told the tribunal that Sayedee committed the crimes in collaboration with Pakistani soldiers at different parts of his home district of Pirojpur.
The offences allegedly committed by the accused are covered by the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act, the prosecutors said.
In another development the tribunal, headed by its Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq, directed the prosecution to produce witnesses against Sayedee on December 7.
The tribunal will give its ruling on November 23 on Sayedee's petition.
In his November 16 petition Sayedee said Justice Huq was involved in a People's Enquiry Commission, which investigated alleged war crimes against Sayedee and several others a few years ago. The Jamaat leader sought explanation if Justice Huq can legally preside over the tribunal and try him.
Abdur Razzaq, chief counsel for Sayedee, BNP leader Moudud Ahmed and Supreme Court Bar Association President Khandaker Mahbub Hossain placed statements before the tribunal, urging Justice Nizamul Huq to quit the tribunal for the sake of justice and image of judiciary.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam rejected the defendant's claim and told the court that Sayedee has no right to question the judge as he himself is an accused in this case.
Sayedee's petition is tantamount to contempt of court, he said.
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