The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Sunday set August 14 for passing order whether to frame charges against engineer Abdul Zabbar, accused of committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation, or not.
The first tribunal set the date after holding a hearing into the matter. Prosecutor Hrishikesh Saha pleaded for framing charges against the alleged Peace Committee chairman from Mothbaria, Pirozpur. On the other hand, advocate Mohammad Abul Hassan, state-appointed defence counsel, took part in the hearing for his fugitive client.
The ICT-1 through an order dated July 8, 2014, decided to carry on the trial in absentia and appointed Mohammad Abul Hassan as the counsel for Zabbar.
The first tribunal on May 12 had issued warrant to arrest the former Jatiya Party MP, taking the charges brought against him by the prosecution into cognizance. But the law enforcing agencies failed to nab him till today.
The prosecution on May 11 submitted the formal charge against Zabbar, who according to the investigation agency played a key role in forming Razakar Bahini in Mothbaria. They brought 5 charges against the accused.
The investigation agency handed over the probe report against Zabbar to the prosecution on April 29, accusing him for his involvement in crimes like murder, genocide, forced convertion, among others.
Meanwhile, at the ICT-2, the defence in the trial of Mawlana Abdus Subhan continued cross-examining 21st prosecution witness (PW), Md Shahidullah. The tribunal adjourned the hearing till today, leaving the cross-examination incomplete.
