Mobarak didn’t deserve death: defence

The International Crimes Tribunal has failed to analyse the evidence and documents presented in Md Mobarak Hossain’s case, the defence has said.

The Razakar commander from Brahmanbaria was awarded death after being found guilty of two charges of war crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

Defence lawyer Tajul Islam in his reaction said: “We believe the tribunal has failed to analyse the evidence and documents in this case. Mobarak did not commit a crime so grave that he should be put to death.”

Hossain was handed the death penalty for the killing of 33 unarmed civilians on the west bank of Ganga Sagar Dighi at Akhaurha’s Tanmandayl village on Aug 22, 1971.

“This isn’t a just verdict. We’ll file an appeal in the Supreme Court,” said Islam, who represented the top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders at the tribunal.

Mobarak Hossain was a former ‘Rokon’ of the Jamaat-e-Islami who later changed sides to join the Awami League. The ruling party, however, expelled the local leader from Akhaura in 2011.

The defence lawyer also alleged that prosecution witnesses had given contradictory testimonies.

“The contradiction suggests they are lying, but the court has accepted that as the truth and gave its verdict.”