Dhaka, June 4 (UNB) - The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday framed charges against detained Jamaat-e-Islami leader Muhammad Kamaruzzaman for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

After reading out the charges, Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, Chairman of the three-member tribunal, asked the Jamaat leader whether he is guilty or not.  

In reply, Kamaruzzaman, one of the prime organisers of Al Badr, a secret killing squad of Jamaat-e-Islami, in the dock pleaded not guilty of the charges, and sought justice. Kamaruzzaman had conducted operations in greater Mymensingh with Al Badr cadres during the war.

Passing the order, the three-member tribunal, headed by its chairman Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, set July 2 for starting formal trial against the Jamaat assistant secretary general by making opening statement by the prosecution.

It asked the prosecution to submit relevant papers and document in connection with the case and the list of prosecution witnesses, dismissing the defence lawyer’s discharge petition.

Kamaruzzaman faces seven counts of charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and conspiracy of genocide, in collaboration with Pakistan occupation army during the Liberation War.

Before pleading not guilty, Kamaruzzaman made an identical statement claiming that he was a victim of political vengeance.

Earlier, his senior leaders facing war crimes trial like Ghulam Azam, Motiur Rahman Nizami and Delwar Hossain Sayedee had made similar remarks.