SQ Chy ‘thanks’ tribunal

BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury has thanked the judges of the war crimes tribunals for completing his trial with patience.

The opposition MP expressed the gratitude the moment the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, kept the verdict pending after finishing hearing of the case on Wednesday.

“I would like to say that I’m grateful for the patience of the tribunal. I thank you (judges) for being kind to me,” he said.

Salauddin Quader thanked the prosecution too.

“You will deliver the verdict, of course. Even so, I’m grateful to you as you have made me and all others aware of our limitations,” he said.

At that point, tribunal judge Jahangir Hossain intervened to say, “We have ensured your rights. We have showed patience but not kindness to anyone.”

File Photo

The BNP leader, known for his quick wit, replied, “That’s right. But I thought that was a gift from you.”

Addressing the journalists, present in the court room, Salauddin Quader said, “No matter what the verdict, its normal that we the polite ones will exchange greetings with one another.”

Then, the BNP Standing Committee member shook hands with some of them.

The prosecution submitted formal charges against Salauddin Quader on Nov 14, 2011 and the tribunal took them into cognisance three days later.

A former prime ministerial adviser on parliamentary affairs when BNP chief Khaleda Zia was in office, the Chittagong MP was shown arrested for war crimes charges on Dec 20, 2010, five days after his detention.

The BNP leader was indicted on Apr 4 on 23 counts of war crimes including rape, murder, abduction and torture on Hindus.