[Bangla Daily Star] Former 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 maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. 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...
chief Ghulam Azam is facing trial for his role during the Liberation War, not for his political affiliation, observed the International Crimes Tribunal-1 while rejecting a petition on review of charges.
Ghulam Azam, considered by many as the symbol of war crimes during the Liberation War in 1971, was indicted on five charges based on 60 incidents of crimes against humanity on May 13.
"He is not being tried just only for his political affiliation; he is rather being tried for his role during the Liberation War and for killing innocent people," said Chairman of the Tribunal Justice Md Nizamul Huq before rejecting the petition.
Defence counsel Abdur Razzaq gave a submission for the review of charges on June 6.
Justice Nizamul Huq said the charges were duly framed against Ghulam Azam following rules and were clear enough. There is time to prove them wrong during the trial proceedings, so the petition is rejected, he added.
With this order there remains no bar to beginning the trial proceedings against the former Jamaat chief, said Prosecutor Zead Al Malum.