The International Crimes Tribunal will amend Section 54 of its rules of procedure, replacing the word ‘documents’ with ‘manuscripts’ in respect of accepting some forms of printed materials relating to the trial of crimes against humanity committed during 1971.
The tribunal announced its decision yesterday following Thursday’s proceedings, which saw a debate break out on how the tribunal would accept newspaper reports as evidence.
During yesterday’s proceedings, the tribunal said it had closely examined the rules of procedure of the International Crimes Tribunal Act, …

The International Crimes Tribunal accepted charges of crimes against humanity against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed on Thursday.
The three-judge tribunal headed by its Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq fixed February 23 for hearing on framing charges against Mojaheed regarding the alleged crimes that took place during the 1971 Liberation War.
The court asked prosecution to submit copies of formal charges and other relevant documents to the ICT registrar by January 31.
Defence will collect the copies from the registrar office on February 1.
Earlier in the morning, the Jamaat secretary general, accused of …

The Inter Services Public Relations yesterday requested the media to play a responsible role like in the past while publishing news about the army.
An ISPR press release said it was not appropriate to run reports mentioning the army members or its headquarters as those might have negative impacts on the force.
On Thursday, a press conference was organised by the headquarters in coordination with the ISPR to disclose an ill attempt to create chaos in the army, said the release.
Nowadays, different news items on this issue were being published mentioning army …

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday asserted that his party does not believe in “army coup” and even do not know Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a banned Islamist outfit.
“When the people have started to express their support to Khaleda Zia by making her programmes successful, the government is making the army controversial only to divert their attention,” Fakhrul told a rally in front of BNP central office in Naya Paltan.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth front of BNP, organised the rally to mark the 76th birth anniversary of party founder late president …

A prosecution witness yesterday told the International Crimes Tribunal that Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee went into hiding in Dohakhola village of Bagharpara [Jessore] after the Liberation War.
“After the Liberation War, Delawar Hossain Sayedee saheb was staying in the house of Rawshan Ali in Dohakhola village,” said Solaiman Hossain, 60, the 15th prosecution witness to testify against Sayedee.
He did not mention the district where Bagharpara is in. It is a upazila in Jessore.
“While trying to find out the reason behind him staying there, we, the locals, found out that he …

[Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina addresses a view exchange meeting with the party leaders of Noakhali district at Gono Bhaban yesterday. Photo: PMO]
—————————————————————-
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said gone are the days when coming to power was possible through unconstitutional means.
Exchanging views at the Gono Bhaban with leaders of Noakhali district Awami League, she asserted the recent anti-government plot unearthed by the army was meant to protect the anti-liberation forces and obstruct the ongoing war crimes trial.
At different programmes, two ministers and an opposition leader also have …

Report some foreign media on plot to overthrow govt
Staff Correspondent
After the army announced foiling a “coup attempt” to overthrow the government, a number of foreign newspapers have reported that India played an important role in unearthing the plot.
The Daily Mail has reported that a “tip-off from India” helped Bangladesh Army pre-empt the conspirators.
“India has helped Bangladesh avert what could have been reminiscent of bloody military takeover in the wake of the country’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 36 years ago,” the British newspaper wrote …

The International Crimes Tribunal is scheduled to pass order today on petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Delawar Hossain Sayedee and Abdul Quader Mollah seeking investigation reports on their alleged crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
The duo, now in jail, submitted the two separate petitions to the tribunal last week.
The tribunal has already accepted the formal charges against them.
Deposition and cross-examination of prosecution witnesses are going on against Sayedee while hearing on charge framing against Quader Mollah is scheduled for January 29.
In the petitions, the duo said the investigation …

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said on Saturday that any civilian, if found involved in the latest coup attempt, will have to face trial for sedition.
Trial of army personnel who were involved in the coup plot, unearthed last month, will be run at a court set up by Bangladesh Army, he said addressing the inaugural session of the 110th Judicial Administration Training Course.
The programme was organised at Judicial Administration Training Institute in the capital.
“Investigation is on,” the minister said as reporters asked about the latest developments of the …

Civil society members’ reaction
Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Sultana Kamal, Prof Anwar Hossain and Prof Imtiaz Ahmed
Prof Muzaffer Ahmad
Result of ‘unrest’ in society
Noted economist and academician Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said the coup attempt is the result of ‘unrest’ prevailing in society.
“The military force is not isolated from our society. The force is influenced by ongoing unrest in our society,” he said.
He said, “Although we are living in a democratic country, we are yet to absorb democratic behaviour and culture. This is why such incidents …

One of the main suspects of the recent coup attempt in the army, Maj Syed Mohammad Ziaul Haque, who is absconding, used a roaming UK mobile SIM card to speak about the plot with at least 11 army officers of different ranks, army sources said.
He also used hi-tech software to operate on the internet through his laptop, said the sources adding that his detailed bio-data along with his photo has been sent to different cantonments and other law enforcement agencies to track him down.
A senior official in the army told …

His 2 sisters live in Pakistan
Ishraq Ahmed, one of the conspirators behind the army coup attempt as described by the army on Thursday, studied at Rajshahi Cadet College during the 70s and maintained connections with many of his friends who joined the army during the 80s.
Sources in the army said they have information that Ishraq had been involvement in many instances of army indiscipline in the past.
Ishraq became a drug addicted after completing his Higher Secondary Certificate examinations in 1980, according to locals.
The Daily Star yesterday went to Ishraq’s house, …