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| Bangladesh |
| Sayedee's counsel slanders witness |
| 2011-12-16 |
| [Bangla Daily Star] Defence lawyers of Jamaat-e-Islami ... The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independentbranch there since 1975. It close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi ...Islamic orator and politician. He was a former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2008, and is one of the most prominent leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami... yesterday continued their attempt to discredit the first prosecution witness and called him "a very opportunistic person". The five-day cross-examination of witness Mahbubul Alam Hawlader continued yesterday in the case filed in connection with Sayeedi's crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971. Hawlader had recorded his deposition with the International Crimes Tribunal on December 7 and his cross-examination finally finished yesterday. After defence counsel Manzur Ahmed Ansary yesterday called Hawlader an opportunistic person, Hawlader protested and several prosecutors objected to such labelling. Going with the prosecution, tribunal chairman Justice Nizamul Huq termed the remark "scandalous". Defence counsel Mizanul Islam then told Hawlader that the present government is creating a list of fake freedom fighters. And Hawlader has filed a false case and gave a false statement against Sayeedi to please the government so that he remains in the freedom fighters' list to enjoy government facilities. Hawlader said it was not true. The three-member bench of the tribunal yesterday began recording the cross-examination at 10:30am after Sayeedi was brought to the tribunal from Dhaka Central Jail. Ansary began the proceedings by asking Hawlader about the residents of Pirojpur's Parerhaat area, his family members and how he came to know the name of Mighty Pak Army Capt Ezaz, who according to Hawlader had been leading 52 soldiers in Pirojpur's Parerhaat area since May 1971. Ansary went on to say that the price of looted valuables which Hawlader had mentioned in his deposition was incorrect since only a trader can ascertain their true value. Ansary said Hawlader speculated the worth of the valuables which Hawlader claimed his client had looted. In response, Hawlader said only a trader could tell the accurate value; so he tried to make a reasonable estimate of the goods that were looted. The defence lawyer then stated that the alleged collaborators of the Mighty Pak Army did not loot Hawlader's home and that is why none of his neighbours were listed as prosecution witnesses. The counsel also claimed that Bisha Bali, who Hawlader said was killed in front of his house in Parerhaat on Sayeedi's instructions, was actually kidnapped by the Mighty Pak Army before he was shot at the Baleshwar river port. Hawlader said all of it was a lie. The attempt to discredit the witness went on and Ansary claimed that all allegations Hawlader brought against Sayeedi were false, adding that his statement and allegations against Sayeedi were the "greatest lie of the century". He went on to tell Hawlader that he has received special training for the trial under the supervision of the government, and that he was the convener of the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, which was formed in Pirojpur's Zianagar in 2003. Hawlader said they were untrue. Later, defence counsel Mizanul Islam concluded the five-day cross-examination by telling Hawlader that he gave his statement against Sayeedi so that his government allowances continue. Hawlader called it untrue. During his deposition Hawlader had said Sayeedi and the collaborators greeted the Mighty Pak Army personnel in early May, 1971, when they arrived at Parerhaat bazaar of Pirojpur. He said the collaborators led by Sayeedi showed the army around 40 homes and shops of the Hindus which were looted. The loot was taken to Sayeedi's father-in-law's home from where it was distributed. He also said fluent Urdu speaking Sayeedi developed a close relationship with Capt Ezaz and supplied girls to the army personnel to be raped. Cross-examination of second prosecution witness Ruhul Amin Nobin will begin Sunday after the weekend. |
| Posted by:Fred |