BSS, Dhaka :
The defence in the trial of Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam, charged with committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation, on Tuesday concluded their arguments on charges.
Advocate Abdus Subhan Tarafder, counsel for Azhar argued for his high profile client and placed his arguments on charge number 5 and 6. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 than set tomorrow to place defence arguments on legal points. The prosecution concluded their part of arguments on August 26, seeking death for Azhar for his wartime crimes. A total of 19 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified against Azhar.
Of them, the prosecution declared their 7th witness hostile. On the other hand, the defense produced one Anwarul Haque, a distant relative of Azhar, as their sole defense witness and exhibited their defense documents through him.
The ICT-1 on November 12, 2013, indicted Azhar for committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation and framed six charges.
According to the prosecution, Azhar, now 61, was commander of Rangpur district unit of Al-Badr during the War of Liberation. Azhar, who hailed from Batason Lohanipara under Badarganj upazilla of Rangpur, was arrested from his Moghbazar residence in the capital on August 23, 2012 and produced before the tribunal three days later. He has been in jail since then.
