ICT further denies bail to Ghulam Azam
Dhaka, July 18 (UNB) -The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday declined for the third time to grant bail to ex-Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Ghulam Azam facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity perpetrated during the Liberation War in 1971.
Accused Ghulam Azam was not produced in the dock as he is not physically fit to travel from the prison cell at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMUH).
The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice M Nizamul Huq, in its order said it is not possible to entertain bail at this trial stage on the ground of giving the accused opportunity to duly offer prayers during holy Ramadan. Besides, there is no such provision under the updated ICT Act 1973, the order added.
On January 11, 89-year-old Ghulam Azam appearing in the dock on court’s order was sent to Dhaka Central Jail after the tribunal rejected his bail prayer. Later, he was taken back to the prison cell at BSMMUH for medical check-up. Since then, he has been kept there.
Meanwhile, the cross-examination of the Investigation Officer, ASP M Helal Uddin, continued for the 32nd day by Mizanul Islam, the defence counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-ameeer Delwar Hossain Sayedee.
Replying to a question, IO Helal told the tribunal that the necessary papers and documents relating to the Liberation War were destroyed from the treasury in Pirojpur after 1975.
“That’s why I couldn’t collect the documentary evidence as to whether accused Sayedee as Razakar used to draw salary or allowances from the government coffers.”
He, however, said during his investigation he did not get any such official note and interrogate the treasury officer in Pirojpur in this regard.
Accused Ghulam Azam was not produced in the dock as he is not physically fit to travel from the prison cell at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMUH).
The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice M Nizamul Huq, in its order said it is not possible to entertain bail at this trial stage on the ground of giving the accused opportunity to duly offer prayers during holy Ramadan. Besides, there is no such provision under the updated ICT Act 1973, the order added.
On January 11, 89-year-old Ghulam Azam appearing in the dock on court’s order was sent to Dhaka Central Jail after the tribunal rejected his bail prayer. Later, he was taken back to the prison cell at BSMMUH for medical check-up. Since then, he has been kept there.
Meanwhile, the cross-examination of the Investigation Officer, ASP M Helal Uddin, continued for the 32nd day by Mizanul Islam, the defence counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-ameeer Delwar Hossain Sayedee.
Replying to a question, IO Helal told the tribunal that the necessary papers and documents relating to the Liberation War were destroyed from the treasury in Pirojpur after 1975.
“That’s why I couldn’t collect the documentary evidence as to whether accused Sayedee as Razakar used to draw salary or allowances from the government coffers.”
He, however, said during his investigation he did not get any such official note and interrogate the treasury officer in Pirojpur in this regard.
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