[Bangla Daily Star] The prosecution and the investigation agency probing war crimes have been failing over and over again to produce witnesses in a case against 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 close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. 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...
leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi
...Islamic orator and politician. He was a former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2008, and is one of the most prominent leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami...
at the International Crimes Tribunal.
Four days after failing to produce any witnesses on February 2, the prosecution yesterday brought forth only one witness who could not even remember anything specific, and completed his deposition in just two minutes. The defence did not even bother to cross-examine the witness.
The prosecution's frequent failure to produce witnesses became an issue at the tribunal yesterday. The judges started their proceedings by asking the prosecution about the number of witnesses they had for the day.
After the prosecution said it had only one witness, tribunal Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq addressed Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipoo and said, "Mr Chief Prosecutor! What shall we do? You have managed to bring only one witness after four days!"
The chief prosecutor said they appreciate the court's concerns and added that the prosecution's efforts to produce the witnesses have been relentless.
Not satisfied with the answer, the chairman called forth investigation officer Helaluddin. "What is the problem?" asked Justice Nizamul Huq, pointing out that it was the Sherlocks' responsibility to produce the witnesses.
Helaluddin said the prosecution were facing many difficulties and that some witnesses had been sick.
"Bring them to Dhaka and provide them with treatment if they are sick," said Huq. "Take them into your custody and have them treated."