Sayedee's 'Razakar' role established: ICT

Halfway through the judgement, the first war crimes tribunal Thursday observed that the prosecution has successfully established Delwar Hossain Sayedee’s role as leader of the local Razakar unit at Pirozpur during the 1971 war.

Justice Mohammad Anwarul Haque has been reading out the verdict on six war crimes charges – bearing numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 13 – brought against Sayedee.

Another tribunal member Jahangir Hossain started reading the verdict as Haque took a break.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal -1, set up to try crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

The court began with ATM Fazle Kabir making a few statements to set the mood of the court before a summary of the 120-page judgement was read out.

“The man who is accused in this case is well-known. His sermons draw crowds of devotees from far-off places,” said Kabir.

“Delwar Hossain Sayedee is not merely known as a Maulana, but was also elected as MP twice.”

“His another identity is that he is the Nayeb-e-Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami.”

Introducing the accused to those present in the courtroom, Kabir said, “Today’s verdict is not against Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayedee. This tribunal is not giving a verdict against any Jamaat leader or a politician elected MP twice either.”

“We have to look 40 years back now to know the person against whom the verdict is being delivered. Then Sayedee was known by the name of Delu at Pirozpur.”

Sayedee looked tense in white Panjabi with a black vest on it as Justice Anwarul Hoque started reading the verdict with permission from the tribunal Chairman.

As the court session progresses, the entire nation holds its breath for a verdict many have waited for over four decades.