The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Wednesday awarded death sentence to Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid for his crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of 1971.The tribunal chairman Justice Obaidul Hassan pronounced the judgment at his heavily jam-packed court.
The tribunal’s penal member Justice Shahinur Islam started reading out the 37 page summary of the 209 page judgment judgment at 11.02 am and the reading was concluded at about 1.45 pm in presence of the accused. Besides, the tribunal penal member Justice Mujibur Rahman Mian read out the second part of the verdict and then the chairman Justice Hassan read out the final and the sentence awarding part.
The ICT-2 chairman in his introductory speech expressed dissatisfaction about the role of the senior defense counsels saying that their absence from the tribunal during the pronouncement of judgment is not any sign of cooperation to the tribunal as all the counsels are always considered as court officers.
The ICT-2 awarded life imprisonment to Ali Ahsan Mojahid for his involvement in the murder of journalist Sirajuddin Hossain, Bodi, Rumi, Jewel, Azad and music composer Altaf Mahmud. He was also sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in the confinement of Ranjit Nath. The tribunal said as the highest sentence is death penalty, so the rest of the punishments will be merged with it.
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mojahid was found guilty of five war crimes charges beyond all doubts, Justice Obaidul Hassan said.
Justice Mujibur Rahman Mian read out that Journalist Sirajuddin murder case against Mujahid was proved beyond doubt while the third charge was also proved and Mojahid’s criminal responsibility was established.
The sixth and seventh charges were also proved against Mojahid. But the second and fourth charges were not proved against him.
He was sentenced to death for first, sixth and seventh charges, while he was awarded life in prison for the 3rd and fifth charges.
White Punjabi and matching Pajama wearing Mujahid was taken to the tribunal at about 9.40 am for delivery of the verdict. On Wednesday he was shifted to Dhaka Central Jail from Narayanganj jail.
Defense counsel Advocate Saifur Rahman told the newsmen that Mohahid was a student leader in 1971 and he had no right to give orders to the Army. He further said that Mohahid had no superior responsibility for all these reasons they will move an appeal against the tribunal’s verdict. He hoped that the verdict of ICT-2 will be set aside.
The defense lawyer said that failing to face Mojahid politically, the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 was amended in 2009 to exterminate him.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Turin Afroz told media people that the tribunal tried to ensure fair play and it was successful. Besides, the prosecution was also quite successful to prove the charges against Mojahid.
She also said only presence on the spot is enough is enough for conviction and it was proved in the case of Jamaat leader Qamaruzzaman that Chhatra Sanga was involved in atrocities and killing during the Liberation War. Mujahid was then a leader of Chhatra Sanga.
The acting Attorney General told the mediamen that none should say any thing against the verdict in any language, but the defense or the prosecution may be aggrieved or disappointed about the verdict and even the concerned side may move appeal against it.
Mujahid’s youngest son Ali Ahmad Mabrur, news reader of the Diganta Television, told the media that the allegations were not proved against his father and they will challenge the verdict before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
He also said that his father told them to have patience as those who remain in the struggle for Islam often had to suffer.
– Court Correspondent
