Proceedings against Sayedee adjourned until today as key defence absent
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday 'reluctantly' adjourned case proceedings against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee until today as the key defence were absent due to countrywide shutdown.
The tribunal -- the first of two courts formed to deal with crimes committed during the Liberation War -- fixed the new date following an adjournment petition by the accused.
Deposition of last prosecution witness Mohammad Helal Uddin, also the investigation officer, was scheduled for recording yesterday.
Sayedee, who is among four Jamaat and one BNP leaders facing charges of crimes against humanity committed during the War at this tribunal, was produced before the court yesterday. Sayedee is facing 20 charges of crimes against humanity.
The tribunal headed by Justice Md Nizamul Huq started proceedings around 11:15am with two members as the third member AKM Zaheer Ahmed could not come due to the shutdown.
Although the prosecution was present for the proceedings the defence were absent except for two junior colleagues of the key counsels.
As the court was about to begin, Sayedee, who was at the dock, appealed for adjournment as his counsels were not present.
"I do not understand law. None of my lawyers is present here. Who will hear and say on my behalf?" said Sayedee.
"The tribunal will work as your lawyers today. We will keep it in mind that your lawyers are absent. But your lawyers should have been present," replied the tribunal chairman.
Abu Bakar Siddique, a junior colleague of Tanvir Ahmed Al Amin, one of Sayedee's counsels, appealed that the proceedings be at least adjourned until 2:00pm.
As he assured that the key defence counsels would arrive at 2:00pm, the tribunal adjourned the proceedings until 1:30pm.
Earlier, Muhammad Tarikul Islam, another junior member of the defence, had addressed the court in inappropriate clothing complaining that the law enforcers had misbehaved with him and Sayedee's son as they tried to talk to the accused on the ground floor of the court.
The tribunal said it was aware of the matter and reminded him that it was inappropriate to talk to Sayedee without the court's permission.
When the tribunal resumed at 1:30pm, Hasanul Banna Shohag, a junior colleague of Mizanul Islam, who is a counsel of Sayedee, told the tribunal two of the three key defence counsels were out of the city.
Despite several attempts, the other counsels could not come to the court because of the shutdown, Shohag said.
"The accused would be prejudiced if the proceeding goes on in absence of the defence counsels," he added.
Hearing this, Sayedee was up in the dock once again and appealed to say something to the tribunal.
"I have submitted a handwritten adjournment petition before the tribunal as my counsels could not come. Kindly adjourn the court proceeding for today," he said.
"We will adjourn the proceeding if any law point comes before the tribunal," said Justice Nizamul Huq.
"With due respect to your words, I appeal for adjournment as my senior counsels are not present," Sayedee said in response.
"But the tribunal wanted to get some work done today," said the chairman.
At this stage, Prosecutor Syed Haider Ali took to the podium and said it would be better if the accused had faith on the tribunal's assurance.
"I have complete faith in [tribunal] chairman and fully utilise your time tomorrow," said Sayedee. "Some work has been done today. Besides, I have never requested anything from the tribunal before."
The court then passed an order adjourning the court proceedings at 1:45pm.
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