Turning down the objection raised by the prosecution, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday allowed war crimes accused Salauddin Quader Chowdhury to furnish additional documents on his educational certificates obtained from Dhaka and Punjab Universities to justify his plea of alibi during the 1971 Liberation War.“Although in the midst of trial, the defence is barred by the law from furnishing additional documents in support of the case, we allow the defence plea for ends of justice,” said Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, chairman of the three-member tribunal.
Besides, the tribunal allowed another defence adjournment petition to hold back till Tuesday (July 23) for making testimony of the remaining defence witnesses—Salman F Rahman and Justice Shamim Hasnain.
Earlier, with detained BNP MP Salauddin Quader in the dock, DW -3 Qayum Reza Chowdhury, also cousin of the accused, was cross-examined by designated prosecutor Sultan Mahmud Simon.
When asked whether he participated in the anti-Ayub movement as a mole of Pakistan intelligence agent in order to foil the 1969 upsurge as he bears the family legacy of Muslim League politics, Qayum replied in the negative saying, “It’s not true.”
“It’s not also true that I made evidence in support of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury as he is my cousin,” added Qayum.
The DW further told the tribunal that he did not make any false, makeover, concocted or tutored evidence to save his close relation Salauddin Quader who faces the charges of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
Salauddin Quader faces trial on 23 counts of charges under different provisions of section 3 (2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973, including genocide in collaboration with Pakistan occupation army, killing, extermination of Hindu minority groups, deportation, persecution and abduction in Chittagong district. – UNB
