The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday issued a rule asking Abul Asad, editor of vernacular daily Sangram, a mouthpiece of Jamaat-e-Islami, and three others to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be brought against them for publishing statements over a trial pending.The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice M Enayetur Rahim, issued the contempt rule interrupting the lone defence witness (DW-1) for war crimes accused ATM Azharul Islam, as he referred to reports published in the daily Sangram defending the accused after formally started the case with evidence of the prosecution witness.The three others contemnors are Ekramul Huq Dulu, ex-Muktijhoddha Sangsad Commander, Rangpur unit, Sangram’s local correspondent and Azizur Rahman Ranga, president of Chhatra League, Rangpur unit in 1971.All the four contemnors have been asked to appear in person before the tribunal on August 20 for making their explanations.Earlier, DW-1 Anwarul Huq, son-in-law of accused Azharul’s brother, during his testimony affirmed some documents, especially the educational certificates of the accused. The defence counsel, however, failed to produce the remaining three other DWs as allowed by the tribunal.Later, designated prosecutor Zead Al Malum cross-examined the DW-1 in part.The tribunal adjourned the proceedings for Monday.On November 12, 2013, the tribunal framed charges against ATM Azharul Islam, a Rangpur commander of Al Badr, a secret killing squad of Jamaat-e-Islami during the Liberation War in 1971, for his involvement in crimes against humanity, including genocide, during the Liberation War, dismissing the discharge plea filed by the accused.Also a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, Azharul faces six counts of charges of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War like killing, abduction, confinement, torture, loot, arson, rape and genocide in Rangpur district.
