Defence delaying Palak trial: Prosecutor tells ICT-1

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam yesterday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the defence representing former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak appeared to be hoping the trial would not continue until after the election and was therefore attempting to delay proceedings.

Tribunal member Justice Shofiul Alam Mahmood immediately responded, “Will Awami League come to power if the election is held -- do not say like this.” 

Tajul replied that such remarks by the defence had reached the prosecution’s attention.

The comment came after Palak’s defence counsel requested more time to prepare for the charge-framing hearing, even though the date had earlier been fixed for Wednesday. The defence said jail authorities had not allowed them to bring laptops and pen drives when they visited Palak last Friday for privileged communication, and sought a tribunal order to permit this.

After hearing both sides, the tribunal set next Thursday for the defence hearing. Palak remains in custody after being arrested in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, in which Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former ICT adviser to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is also accused.

Palak’s lawyer Liton Ahmed told the tribunal that they wished to complete the communication next Friday and hold the charge-framing hearing on January 18. Opposing the plea, the chief prosecutor said January 14 had already been fixed for the hearing and added that the lawyers could meet Palak yesterday in the tribunal’s lock-up room if they wished.

Echoing the prosecution, the tribunal chairman asked, “Why wait until Friday? You can do it today.” The defence lawyers, however, remained firm in their request. At this stage, the chief prosecutor reiterated that the defence was deliberately trying to delay the trial.

The prosecution urged the tribunal to frame charges against both accused, saying prima facie evidence had been found.

Meanwhile, ICT-2 fixed January 14 for prosecution arguments after completion of the recording of a defence witness in a case over the burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising.

The tribunal also granted bail on humanitarian grounds to Humayun Kabir Patwary, former AL Lakshmipur Sadar unit president, in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of five people during the July 2024 uprising -- the first such bail in a July uprising case. 

He was granted bail due to liver cirrhosis, the prosecution said.

The tribunal imposed strict conditions, including house confinement, bans on media and social media communication, and restrictions on tampering with evidence or contacting co-accused or witnesses. 

Two other accused, Shaheen Alam and Md Salahuddin Chowdhury, remain in jail.