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| Bangladesh | |
| Jamaat leader Selim apologises | |
| 2013-06-03 | |
| [Bangla Daily Star] 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 maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. 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 Selim Uddin yesterday sought unconditional apology to International Crimes Tribunal-2 for his provocative and derogatory remarks about trial proceedings and the tribunal.
On April 21, the tribunal initiated contempt proceedings against the Jamaat leaders for their "provocative and derogatory remarks". Yesterday, the court, after holding the hearing on a written reply of Selim Uddin, fixed June 9 for passing order in this regard. Selim Uddin's lawyer Tajul Islam yesterday said he was not "justifying" his client's comments, rather seeking "unconditional apology" for the comments. The February 4 video footages of RTV and ATN News of a Jamaat rally were screened in the tribunal and Selim Uddin, who was produced before the court, himself sought apology. "I had no intention to disrespect the court. Even though, if it hurts the court, I apologise for my comments," said Selim Uddin. On February 7, the tribunal asked the trio to explain as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for their comments about trial proceeding and the tribunal at the rally on February 4. On March 6, the court ordered the police to arrest the Jamaat leaders and produce them before the court for "deliberately avoiding" appearance before the tribunal in connection with a contempt of court ruling. Of them, Selim Uddin, Dhaka city unit assistant secretary general of Jamaat, was placed in durance vile Please don't kill me! following a warrant for arrest issued by the tribunal, while acting secretary general Rafiqul Islam Khan, and central executive council member Hamidur Rahman Azad, are on the run. The court, on its own, issued the notice for contempt of court on the basis of reports published in The Daily Star and Bangla daily Prothom Alo on February 5. The Prothom Alo quoted Selim Uddin as saying; "There is no scope for the controversial tribunal to deliver any verdict if the country is to be saved from a civil war." The daily quoted Azad as saying at the same programme, "This tribunal cannot exist any more." The Daily Star, in a report headlined "Jamaat warns of civil war", quoted Rafiqul Islam as saying, "Don't push the country into a civil war by delivering one-sided verdicts against our leaders. If anything happens to Quader Mollah, every house will be on fire." If found guilty, the tribunal, as per section 11 (4) of the act, may award the Jamaat leaders simple imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to Tk 5,000 or with both. | |
| Posted by:Fred |