The war crimes verdict for Motiur Rahman Nizami is expected to be delivered any day as fresh arguments in the case have ended.
Published : 24 Mar 2014, 03:39 PM
Justice M Enayetur Rahim, chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, gave the order on Monday.
Nizami, now the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, is charged with 16 counts of war crimes including murder, rape, looting, abetment and the massacre of Bengali intellectuals during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.
The case’s hearing ended in November last year but ICT-1 ordered fresh arguments in the case last month in response to a defence petition filed for the sake of 'justice'.
Born in 1943 at Mohammadpur village of Pabna's Santhiya Upazila, Nizami was the head of the East-Pakistan unit of Jamaat’s student wing - Islami Chhatra Shangha.
He headed the 'Al Badr' militia until September, 1971 after which he became a member of Jamaat.
Nizami’s trial began on May 28, 2012. He was arrested on July 29, 2010 on charges of hurting the religious sentiments.
On Aug 2, the same year, he was shown arrested for committing crimes against humanity.
On Dec 11, 2012, the prosecution brought specific charges against Nizami and on Dec 28 the court took it into its cognisance.
The charges against him include killing of 70 people and torching 72 houses in December, 1971 at Brishalika village in Pabna's Bera Upazila, murdering 450 people in Demra and Baushia villages, killing several more in front of a Hindu temple at Kormocha village of Santhiya Upazila.
Nizami is accused of playing a key role in setting up the Peace Committee and Razakar Force, meant for oppressing pro-liberation Bengalis.
Witnesses' deposition of the trial started on Aug 26.
The prosecution produced a total of 26 witnesses.