A new prosecution witness (PW) on Monday testified against Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, charged with committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation, at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2. Lutfur Rahman Faruk, 65, hailed from Bakolia, Chittagong submitted his deposition as PW-20 and described how Al-Badr cadres led by Mir Quasem tortured him at their camp situated at Dalim Hotel in Andarkilla area of Chittagong town, “I was apprehended by the Al-Badr cadres on November 19, 1971, from my home. From there they took me to Dalim Hotel and blindfolded me following the order of Mir Quasem. They used to whip me at night by electric cable,” Faruk said. The witness said when he was taken to that camp he sought a glass of water to break his fast as it was the holy month of Ramadan, but Mir Quasem refused to give him that saying he does not deserve it and rather he should drink urine. Faruk said after November 20 1971, he was transferred to Chittagong Circuit House and was later sent to Chittagong Jail, from where he was released later.
The witness said he lost his reproductive capability as a result of the torture he went through at Dalim Hotel and Circuit House.
After his deposition, the defence quizzed him a little and the ICT-2 then adjourned the hearing till today leaving it incomplete.
The ICT-1 on August 29, 2013, framed a total of 14 charges of crimes against humanity against Mir Quasem. Later, the trial was shifted from ICT-1 to ICT-2 for quick disposal. Mir Quasem was arrested on June 17, 2012 from daily Naya Diganta office in the city’s Motijheel area and is now kept at Kashimpur High Security Jail.
