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Arabia

'Witchcraft-using' female beggar arrested in Dubai

2024-03-20

[GEO.TV] Dubai’s police have arrested a woman, belonging to Asia, for begging, Gulf News reported, but what stood out about her was the use of witchcraft. Upon apprehension, the police recovered witchcraft talismans from the woman. The authorities believe the woman used this craft to influence the people she took money from. Brig Ali Salem Al Shamsi, director of suspects and criminal phenomena department at the Dubai Police, said: "The beggar was arrested in a residential area, and the police found in her possession 'papers, tools, witchcraft talismans, and magic veils', which she uses while begging. She believes that they help her influence people to give her the money she wants." Khaleej Times reported that the woman was arrested after a resident complained to the police's Command and Control Centre. The police official urged the public to refrain from showing sympathy to beggars and asked them to stay alert and not fall prey to their schemes. He added that the beggars manipulate people more during Ramadan. Dubai police had last week apprehended a man as he was wearing an abaya, clothing Moslem women use to cover themselves, and begging near a mosque. The young man, whom the police arrested, said he chose to wear an abaya as women beggars are often given more sympathy compare to male counterparts.

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Arabia

UAE grants presidential pardon to Briton sentenced to life for spying

2018-11-27

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The United Arab Emirates on Monday pardoned a British academic jugged Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un! for life on spying charges, granting his family's request for clemency minutes after showing a video of him confessing to being a member of Britannia's intelligence agency MI6. The UAE president issued a pardon as part of the country's National Day, effective immediately, according to a statement carried by state news agency WAM. At a news conference on Monday in Abu Dhabi, Emirati officials showed the video of Mathew Hedges, a 31-year-old doctorate student in Middle Eastern studies at Durham University. The video, which Emirati officials did not allow journalists to record, shows Hedges describing himself as a captain in MI-6 during what appears to be a court hearing in the Gulf Arab country. Another clip appears to show Hedges speaking to someone in an office and saying: "It helps the research to go in in an easy way." Then, Hedges is seen snapping his fingers and adds: "Then it becomes MI-6." The video also showed Hedges saying he was looking into what military systems the UAE was buying. Last Wednesday, a UAE Attorney General Hamad Al Shamsi said that "during questioning, Mr Hedges admitted to the claims against him, which were identical to evidence and information gained from his own electronic devices and investigations conducted by the UAE’s security agencies."

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Arabia

Saudi and UAE leaders meet Yemen Islah party chairman

2017-12-14

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi met in Riyadh on Wednesday with the Chairman of the Yemeni Congregation for Reform, al-Islah party, Colonel Mohammed Abdullah al-Yidoumi, and Secretary-General Abdulwahab Ahmad al-Anisi. During the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed reviewed with Col Yidoumi and al-Anisi the developments in Yemen ...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic... and the efforts exerted in accordance with the principles of achieving security and stability for the Yemeni people. The meeting was attended by Minister of State Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed al-Aiban, and the Director of of Saudi General Intelligence Khalid al-Humaidan. From the UAE Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor was present along with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security and Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom.

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Arabia

UN official praises UAE decision to host 15,000 Syrian refugees

2016-10-30

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag on Thursday praised the recent decision of the UAE to welcome 15,000 Syrian refugees on its territories over the next five years. 15,000 -- isn't that the monthly quota Champ wants for the U.S.? The UN Special Coordinator praised the importance of this step, saying "it is a model that should be followed by other countries because it will offer refugees a life in dignity as well as education and job opportunities," a statement from the UAE Embassy in Beirut said. She underlined that the United Nations was counting on such initiatives due to the growing numbers of refugees worldwide, particularly since "grants and assistance offered by donors are not sufficient to meet all the required needs." Kaag made the remarks during a meeting with UAE Ambassador to Lebanon Hamad Saeed Al Shamsi where discussions focused on the situation in Lebanon and regional developments. In the past five years, the UAE provided more than US$750 million in assistance for Syrian refugees and displaced people in neighbouring host countries, including in Lebanon where the Office of Humanitarian and Development Attache Office at the UAE Embassy supports humanitarian projects and provides health, medical and educational aid, Ambassador Al Shamsi noted. How much of that went to the Widows Ammunition Fund? The UAE opened a model refugee camp in Al Marj town, Bekaa Valley, which includes a school and a small library, he said. The UAE already welcomed more than 123,000 Syrian citizens who joined nationals of more than 201 countries, where they all live together, a situation which enhances diversity and provides real and tangible contributions to shared responsibilities towards the crisis of Syrian refugees, the ambassador further noted.

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Arabia

al Manara bad guys go on trial

2015-11-17

Abu Dhabi: Members of the Al Manara terrorist organisation smuggled weapons, ammunition and detonators into the UAE to kill people and overthrow the government, the Federal Supreme Court heard on Monday. A total of 40 suspected members — including 38 Emiratis — of the terrorist organisation are facing trial at a security court here. On Monday, two witnesses revealed that the Al Manara suspects had smuggled weapons, ammunition and detonators into the country. The weapons were obtained in collaboration with Syria’s Al Nusra Front and Al Ansar Front in Balochistan province in Iran. Their intention was to overthrow the government, kill people, attack shopping malls and hotels and declare a Daesh-style caliphate in the UAE, the witnesses told the court. The state security division of the Federal Supreme Court examined the weapons confiscated from the suspects and heard testimonies of security officers. The hearing was adjourned to December 8 when two videos on the groups’ meeting in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai will be shown. Monday’s hearing witnessed defendants and witnesses exchanging accusations. Judge Mohammad Al Jarah Al Tunaiji ordered two defendants be sent back to prison. The witnesses Rashid Abdullah Saif Al Shamsi and Rashid Sultan Al Niyadi told the court that Shabab Al Manara group, backed by Al Nusra Front and the Iranian Balochistan Liberation Front, smuggled weapons, ammunition, explosives and guns into the UAE. Charges The prosecutors have said the suspects are charged with setting up and running terrorist organisation Shabab Al Manara, ‘The Minaret’s Youths’, which upholds terrorist ideology with the intent to commit terrorist acts in the UAE and endangering the country’s security, peace and lives of its leaders and people. Salem Saeed Kubaish, UAE’s Attorney-General, said that the suspects were also charged with planning to inflict damage on private and public properties to eventually seize power to set up a so-called caliphate state in line with their extremist ideology. “To carry out their terrorist acts, the suspects procured firearms, ammunition and explosives using funds they raised for this purpose and communicated with foreign militants. These militants provided these suspects with funds and people to achieve their goals inside the country,” Kubaish said. The State Security Prosecution presented five weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, MP5 and M16 machineguns, explosives and detonators used in making bombs as well as a huge number of bullets and magazines. The witnesses said police found these weapons and ammunition in a desert camp in the UAE. They said the group used Al Manara Mosque and Al Arqam School in Dubai to hold meetings and disseminate their terrorist ideology. Evidence The evidence consisting of seven boxes of ammunition and weapons was carried by three people into the court. One of the defendants admitted to possessing one of the rifles but said that his father owned it, adding that it was a hunting rifle and was at his father’s home and not with him. A witness testimony revealed that the main defendant, K.K., had lost a son while fighting with Daesh militants in Iraq. Investigations revealed that the organisation’s members were giving youth lectures that criticise and attack the government and the ruling system in the UAE, criticising the raising of the UAE flag and the standing for the national anthem as these acts are considered blasphemous. ‘Committees, cells set up’ Prosecutors said the suspects set up an organisational structure, including committees and cells with specific tasks. “A leader was appointed to oversee the terrorist organisation, issue orders, instructions, roles and duties for each committee. He was also assigned to set policies. His deputy was assigned to follow up implementation of these policies,” Kubaish said. The witnesses added these committees were assigned to recruit young Emiratis to instil extremist thought and train them in militant acts and manufacture of explosives at certain camping sites. Prosecutors said the group also disseminated audio and video material on the internet. Convicted terrorists face capital punishment, life imprisonment and fines of up to Dh100 million, according to a federal law to combat terrorism endorsed last year.

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Arabia

UAE to set up rehab centres for those lured by terror cells

2014-08-25

The UAE will soon set up centres to counsel and rehabilitate persons “lured and misled” into joining terror groups and organisations. Some “precautionary measures” will be taken against the persons detained here, based on “final judicial judgments”, said Sultan Juma Al Shamsi, Rapporteur of the Legislative and Legal Committee at the Federal National Council (FNC). Does it have room for Qatari emirs? Al Shamsi said the establishment of such centres will be made under the recently promulgated anti-terror law. These centres, Al Shamsi said, will come up across the country. Among its staff will be psychiatrists, social workers and preachers to help rehabilitate persons who get lured to international terror groups and cells. Al Shamsi told Khaleej Times that Article 68 of the anti-terror law stipulates that the centre will guide and rehabilitate the convicts of terror cases. “Convicts of terror cases will be sent to these centres after or while serving their jail sentences,” he said. These centres will help “protect the homeland’s citizens, restore them and help them get rid of any poisonous views and malicious thoughts”. Al Shamsi warned that the law will punish any citizens or residents “found in possession of audio-video instruments of any kind that may promote violence”. Such centres will be set up depending on the need of each emirate, Al Shamsi affirmed. The anti-terror law, Al Shamsi said, will punish anyone who sets up or manages a centre to commit terror crimes or facilitate training or gets trained by terror groups. “If people are found in possession of unconventional weapons like biological, radioactive or chemical ones, the penalty will be more stringent.” The law also has provisions to punish anyone who has knowledge about terror crimes in the country and fails to report it to the competent authorities. “Anyone who gives false reports about terror, especially to create panic in the country, will get maximum punishment.”

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Bangladesh

Violence, low turnout mark Bangla polls

2014-01-06

[Bangla New Age] Polling in 147 constituencies for the 10th Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday was marked by death of 18 people in violence, low turnout of voters and stuffing of ballot boxes by ruling party men across the country. A member of Ansars and 17 opposition activists were killed in Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Feni, Munshiganj, Laksmipur, Jessore, NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions... re, Chittagong and Gaibandha districts as violent festivities erupted across the country after opposition men tried to foil voting in the 'one-sided' polls. The BNP-led opposition alliance demanded cancellation of Sunday's 'farcical elections' and announced a fresh round of 48-hour general strike beginning at 6:00am today along with the blockade for fresh elections. The ruling Awami League, however, termed Sunday's election as 'victory of the people and democracy'. Candidates in 153 constituencies had already been elected unopposed after the opposition alliance boycotted the polls. Burning down of more than 150 polling stations by opposition activists before polling began at 8:00am Sunday, killing of an assistant presiding officer and snatching of election materials forced the Election Commission to suspend voting in around 400 centres. Turnout of voters was relatively higher in three constituencies in Chittagong Hill Tracts where Awami League candidates had close contests with independent candidates. Mobile phone networks in the three districts were switched off on the polling day. Both the Election Commission and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission said they were not aware of it and not certain who ordered the mobile network off. 'There was no such instruction from the commission,' said election commissioner Mohammad Shahnawaz. Three regional political parties -- Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti, United People's Democratic Front and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (MN Larma)] -- saw the move as a part of 'election engineering'. In the capital New Age found turnout of voters in different polling stations very low till noon. Dense fog in the morning discouraged voters from turning up at the polling stations in some constituencies. The turnout increased slowly as the day rolled on. By the afternoon people of Awami League candidates began stuffing the ballot boxes in some constituencies. The correspondent in Pabna said Ashique Al Shams Ranjan, son of state minister for home affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, also Awami League candidate for Pabna 1 constituency, had alone snatched and stuffed 899 ballot papers at Paikhati Shahidnagar high school in Bera. As the polling agent of independent candidate Abu Sayeed protested, Ranjan and his cohorts beat him up mercilessly. Senior Awami League leaders were seen stuffing boxes at the Jamia Islamia Madrassah and Orphanage centre at Dakkhin Khan under Dhaka 18 constituency. They were visibly annoyed at the presence of a newsman but polling officials requested the correspondent to stay there until the close of the polling. At the T&T Girls College centre at Mohakhali, Awami League activists stuffed ballot boxes forcing all out of the polling booths in the afternoon. Reports from Dinajpur said an Ansar member and two opposition men were killed and five others injured in three separate incidents of violence in Parbatipur upazila. Ansar constable Abdul Wahed died after Jamaat-Shibir men attacked Bachhirbaniya government primary school centre around 11:00am. Ansar sources said Wahed had died of cardiac arrest after several hundred Jamaat men chased him for a kilometre. Masud Raihan, an activist of Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, died in local hospital after being hit by a bullet in a clash with the police when opposition activists attacked Manmathpur Cooperative High School centre around 12:30pm. Babul Hossain, a leader of Chehelgazi union BNP, was rubbed out by rivals when the opposition men attacked Nashipur primary school centre at about 1:30am. The correspondent in Rangpur said Sirajul Islam Siraj, 24, and Hadiuzzaman Hadi, 25, activists of Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... 's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir ... the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh... , were killed in police firing after Jamaat-Shibir men attacked Dewti School and College polling centre in Pirgachha and looted ballots and ballot boxes and set fire to the centre under Rangpur 4 constituency around 3:00am. Pirgachha police officer-in-charge Mokbul Hossain said the police were forced to open fire on the attackers that left two dead. Leaders of the upazila unit Jamaat and Shibir declined comments on the incident. The correspondent in Nilphamari reported that two Jamaat-Shibir activists were killed in police firing after they attacked two polling centres in Dimla and Jaldhaka upazilas and attempted to torch the centres after looting election materials. Jamaat activist Jahangir Alam,32, a lecturer at Khalisa Chhotokhata Fazil Madrassah at Khalisa Chapani of Dimla, was killed when police opened fire on Jamaat-Shibir men who attacked Beparitala Alim Madrassah centre around 2:30am. Dimla police acting officer-in-charge Azim Uddin said one person was killed in police firing when Jamaat-Shibir attacked the polling centre. Jamaat man Momtaz Uddin,50, a teacher of Barabhita Dakhil Madrassah in Kishoreganj, was killed when police opened fire on Jamaat supporters after they attacked Balapara Kachari Girls High School polling centre in Koimari union under of Jaldhaka at about 10:00am. Jaldhaka police officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman said one person had died in police firing in Koimari after Jamaat-Shibir men attacked a polling centre. In Laksmipur, Shibir activist Mohammad Rubel was killed and two more suffered injuries as police opened fire on opposition activists after they attempted to snatch ballot boxes at Machhimpur High School centre in Ramganj upazila. Ramganj police officer-in-charge Rezaul Karim confirmed the death of Rubel. Juba Dal leader Jamshed Alam was killed in police firing when opposition activists attacked Uttar Char Chandia primary school centre in Sonagazi of Feni around 10:30am. Chhatra Dal leader Shahidullah, who suffered injuries in the same incisent, died at hospital, said Sonagazi police chief Subhash Chandra Pal. Kangkan Mia, 24, joint secretary of Shimulia union unit Chhatra Dal, drowned as he jumped into a ditch after being chased by police in Tongibari of Munshiganj after hurling a petrol bomb at Dakshin Kathadia-Shimulia government primary school centre around 5:50am. The correspondent in Thakurgaon reported that three opposition activists were killed in police firing when opposition men attacked polling stations. Joynal, 30, and Harun, 40, of village Khagrabari were killed in police firing after they attacked Basudevpur Government Primary School polling centre around noon. In another incident BNP activist Abu Hanif died in a clash with Awami League supporters at Gopalpur. The opposition men attacked over 30 polling centres in Thakurgaon1 constituency and clashed with the ruling party activists and law enforcers. At least 50 people, including police, ansar and BNP-Jamaat activists, were maimed during the violence. In Chittagong, Shibir activist Enamul Haque, 26, of Adur Para in Lohagara, was killed when police opened fire on Jamaat men after they tried to snatch ballot boxes from Bhabanipur polling centre at about 3:30pm. BNP activist Babul Hossain died in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after being hit by a bullet at Ramnagar under Manda in NATOre around 11:00am. Manda police officer-in-charge Abdullahel Baqui said joint forces were forced to open fire after the opposition men attacked them with bows and arrows. Reports from Gaibandha said Jamaat activist Shahabul, 35, was killed and 15 others were maimed after Jamaat supporters clashed with Awami League at Manmath Government Primary School centre in Bamandanga in the afternoon. Gaibandha additional police superintendent Mosharraf Hossain confirmed the death. Jamaat activist Matiar Rahman was rubbed out as joint forces opened fire to disperse attackers at Bajitpur centre in Monirampur of Jessore and 30 more, including three presiding officers, sustained injuries in widespread violence in Monirampur that forced the Election Commission to suspend polling at 47 centres. The correspondent in Lalmanirhat said at least 68 people, include eight police men, two presiding officers and a journalist, were maimed in attacks at different centres by opposition activists. The injured were admitted to Patgram and Hatibandha upazila health complexes, Lalmonirhat General Hospital and Rangpur Medical College Hospital. The attackers also snatched a rifle from police at Hosnabad Community Primary School centre. The correspondent in Jhenaidah said opposition activists had snatched election materials from Dariapur government primary school polling centre in Maheshpur upazila. Police opened fire to control the situation. The attackers also cut the tendons of Mahehspur municipal unit Awami League leader Ali Nur Rahman. In retaliation, the house of Mahehspur municipal unit Jamaat amir Moqbul Hossain was torched. Maheshpur police officer-in-charge Akram Hossain confirmed the incidents.

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Bangladesh

EDITORIAL : Molla's hanging

2013-12-15

[Pak Daily Times] Abdul Quader Molla of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... (JI) became the first person accused of atrocities during the country's independence war to be hanged. Whereas a number of big shots of the JI in that country are behind bars awaiting trials on similar charges, it fell to the lot of Molla to be the first to have his trial completed and be sentenced to death. A last minute hoped for reprieve when the Supreme Court took notice proved infructuous when the court refused to reverse the death sentence. There has been concern internationally that the tribunals trying the accused for their role in massacres carried out by the JI's militias, Al Badr and Al Shams against intellectuals and ordinary citizens in what was then East Pakistain do not meet the highest international standards of fair trial. There also does not appear to be in place a proper appeals process to ensure justice is not only done, but is seen to be done.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israel dismantles Paleo camp

2013-03-25

JERUSALEM - Hundreds of Israeli police dismantled a Palestinian protest camp on the outskirts of Jerusalem overnight, activists and police said on Sunday. Activists set up the camp, which they dubbed Bab Al Shams or “Gate of the Sun” in Arabic, near the West Bank Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in a bid to draw attention to Israeli plans to boost building in the area known as E1. Tents were pitched on Wednesday to highlight the issue ahead of a landmark three-day visit to the Palestinian and Israel territories by US President Barack Obama — his first since taking office more than four years ago. Palestinian legislator Mustafa Barghouti, one of the organisers, told AFP by phone on Sunday that he and four others were arrested and taken for questioning at Maale Adumim police station. He said about 50 other protesters were put on buses and released in a Palestinian Authority-controlled part of the West Bank. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that one woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting a policeman. “Over 200 officers took part in the operation,” he said. “The area was cleared in about half an hour.” The camp was first set up in January but taken down by court order on the grounds of “public disorder.” Similar encampments have sprouted elsewhere but have later been dozed razed by troops or police. The Palestinians say increased settlement construction in E1 would effectively cut the West Bank in two and prevent the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state. The international community has also reacted with consternation to Israeli plans to build in E1, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reconsider.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh & 1971 syndrome

2013-03-06

[Dawn] BANGLADESH is again plunging itself into another phase of political turmoil and violence. The decision by the Dhaka-based International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) to award capital punishment to two key leaders of the Bangladeshi Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... (JI) on charges of war crimes during the March-December 1971 civil war in the former East Pakistain has triggered large-scale violent protests and festivities with police killing and injuring a large number of people. It must be asked why the Awami League (AL) government of Sheikh Hasina ...Bangla dynastic politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Bangla Awami League since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She has once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide... decided to establish the ICT and try those whom it accused of "collaborating" with the Pakistain Army in the "genocide" of Bengali people during the military operation. On Feb 28, the controversial ICT found JI vice-president and former member of parliament Delwar Hossain Sayeedi ...Islamic orator and politician. He was a former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2008, and is one of the most prominent leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami... guilty of murder, religious persecution and rape and sentenced him to death. The verdict triggered widespread protests in different parts of Bangladesh and also invited counter-demonstrations by those who supported the court's verdict. In Dhaka's Shahbagh square, thousands of protesters demanded "exemplary punishment" for war criminals and a ban on the Jamaat. The tribunal is trying a total of nine JI leaders and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for their alleged war crimes. AL is blamed by its opponents, including the BNP, of transforming Bangladesh into a fascist state by using excessive force against opponents, manipulating the events of 1971 for political consumption and transforming the country's Islamic identity into a secular one. Because of three major reasons, Bangladesh is unable to detach itself from the events of 1971. First, anti-Pakistain rhetoric has become an integral part of Bangladesh's political discourse. It is one thing which has been used by various regimes since 1971 to remind people of the liberation war and the value of freedom. Dec 16 in Bangladesh is celebrated as Victory Day. In fact, most of the national days celebrated in Bangladesh are based on anti-Pakistain rhetoric. Feb 21 is celebrated as Language Day to mark the struggle launched in East Pakistain to oppose the imposition of Urdu as a national language. March 26 is celebrated as Independence Day to mark the launch of the brutal military operation by the West Pakistain-dominated regime to quell the Awami League-led civil disobedience movement. Second, some political parties, particularly the Awami League, which fought the liberation war consider it useful to exploit 1971 for political purposes. By diverting people's attention from 'real issues' like corruption, nepotism and bad governance, the AL government is targeting what it calls 'war criminals'. Finally, the sufferings caused to the people of Bangladesh in view of the exploitative and unequal relationship with the West Pakistain-dominated regimes have nurtured anti-Pakistain feelings, which persist even after 41 years of independence from Pakistain. The military operation of 1971 alienated the Bengali population of the former eastern wing, and became the source of Bangladesh's national identity. It is perceived that no government in Bangladesh can detach itself from the events of 1971 and the liberation struggle because the survival of that country rests predominantly on keeping these memories alive. The BNP and other opposition parties in Bangladesh have alleged that the AL, by pursuing a policy of vendetta, wants to eliminate political opponents before the next elections, due in December 2013. By augmenting the level of political polarisation and targeting religious parties, particularly the Jamaat, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has caused her country to plunge into a serious crisis. There have been reported attacks on Hindu temples and two Hindu leaders of AL were recently targeted. Islamists in Bangladesh blame India for sponsoring demonstrations supporting the ICT's verdict against JI leaders. Furthermore, the recent killing of an anti-Islam blogger by five university students and the demand made by Islamic parties to hang other bloggers on charges of blasphemy also indicate a surge of religious extremism in Bangladesh. Steps taken by the AL government in the last few years to reverse the process of Islamisation by military dictators, generals Ziaur Rehman and Hossein Mohammad Ershad, during the late 1970s and 1980s have also deepened the conflict between Islamists and secularists. Putting the matter in historical perspective, in 1974, as a result of Pakistain's recognition of Bangladesh and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's visit to Lahore for the Second Islamic Summit Conference in Feb 1974, Dhaka agreed not to press for the trial of 195 Pak prisoners of war -- jugged Book 'im, Mahmoud! in Indian PoW camps -- on charges of war crimes. Pakistain has expressed regret to Bangladesh about the excesses committed during 1971 but has so far refused to tender a full apology. Therefore, one way to keep the issue of 1971 alive was to try the Bengali nationals, termed collaborators, who primarily belonged to the Al Badr and Al Shams wings of Jamaat-e-Islami. One plausible way to deal with the 1971 syndrome is to start the process of reconciliation by forming an independent commission to thoroughly investigate excesses committed during the military operation of 1971 by the Pakistain Army as well as the killings of non-Bengalis in East Pakistain by armed Bengalis and the Mukti Bahini. The proposed commission, which can be called the Bangladesh-Pakistain Truth and Reconciliation Commission, will help heal the wounds of 1971 in Bangladesh and in Pakistain and will also help improve relations between the two South Asian countries.

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Bangladesh

Ghulam Azam indicted

2012-05-14

[Bangla Daily Star] Ghulam Azam, considered by many as the symbol of war crimes during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, was yesterday indicted on five charges of crimes against humanity. After framing the charges, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 set June 5 for the trial to begin with opening statement from the prosecution. The charges against Ghulam Azam include involvement in murder and torture of unarmed people; and conspiracy, planning, incitement and complicity to commit genocide and crimes against humanity during the 1971 war. The charges were based on 60 incidents of crimes against humanity. Ghulam Azam was the ameer of East Pakistain Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... during the Liberation War. He campaigned across Bangladesh and even in Pakistain (then West Pakistain) in an attempt to foil the liberation efforts. He played a key role in forming Shanti (peace) Committee and Razakar, Al Badr and Al Shams forces, which actively helped the Pak forces in committing massacres across the country. Three million people were killed and over two million women were raped during the nine-month war. Yesterday, Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md Nizamul Huq read out the charges with an introduction to the formation of the tribunal, a brief history of the Liberation War, a profile of Ghulam Azam and submissions of the prosecution and the defence along with the court's views on the case.

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Bangladesh

Ghulam faces 52 charges

2011-12-13

[Bangla Daily Star] The prosecution yesterday pressed 52 war crimes charges against former Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... chief Ghulam Azam. The charges include leading the mass murder of intellectuals on December 14, 1971 and the killing of 38 prisoners of Brahmanbaria jail. Ghulam Azam, considered by many a symbol of war crimes, was also held responsible by the prosecutors for all atrocities committed across the country from March 25 to December 16, 1971. Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipoo placed the charges before the International Crimes Tribunal and sought arrest warrant for the ex-Jamaat ameer. The prosecution prayer reflects the will of the people, Arieff said at a press briefing at his office yesterday. The tribunal received the charges through its registrar's office and is scheduled to pass an order today on the prosecution's plea. Earlier on Sunday, the prosecutors submitted formal charges of war crimes against top Jamaat leaders Motiur Rahman Nizami ...During the liberation war of 1971, Nizami formed the Al-Badr Force and acted as its supreme commander. The Al-Badr militia took active part in rape, extortion, looting and killing of Bangladeshis who supported the liberation, including a pre-planned massacre on December 14, 1971, when the Al-Badr militia along with Pakistan Army rounded up hundreds of doctors, professors, writers, and other Bengali intellectuals, and executed them... , Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman. Rana Dasgupta, one of the prosecutors, told The Daily Star Yesterday they found evidence that Ghulam Azam and some other Jamaat leaders had allied themselves with Pakistain military regime even before the national elections of December 7, 1970. The Pak rulers had held fair elections, thinking that Awami League would not win. They had planned to form a government headed by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ...9th PM of Pakistain from 1973 to 1977, and 4th President of Pakistain from 1971 to 1973. He was the founder of the Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP). His eldest daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would also serve as hereditary PM. In a coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq, Bhutto was removed from office and was executed in 1979 for authorizing the murder of a political opponent... , founder of Pakistain People's Party. Awami League, however, secured a landslide victory in the historic elections, and it prompted the rulers and pro-Pakistain political forces to plan a violent crackdown on Bangalees to cling to power. After the Operation Search Light, the military action against the unarmed people of Bangladesh on the black night of March 25, 1971, the Jamaat leaders led by Ghulam Azam met the then East Pakistain governor and martial law administrator Gen Tikka Khan, the "Butcher of Balochistan". ...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it... In the meeting, they hailed the operation, saying it had saved Pakistain and Islam, Rana Dasgupta added. They promised Tikka Khan and Pakistain army full cooperation in rooting out the "anti-Pakistain forces", and also planned to form a band of collaborators, the infamous Peace Committee, with Khwaja Khoiruddin as its convener. According to the prosecutor, some six persons were given the responsibility to oversee the activities of the Peace Committee and Ghulam Azam was their second-in-command. Some other anti-liberation organizations including Razakar Bahini, Al Badr, Al Shams and Mujahid Committee were later founded under the supervision of Ghulam Azam. He was assisted by Chowdhury Rahmat Ali, Moulvi Farid Ahmed, Peer Mohsin Uddin, Khan A Sabur and Nurul Amin in leading the auxiliary forces. The outfits set up camps in different places throughout the country. Rana Dasgupta told The Daily Star that Ghulam Azam used to inspect the parades and trainings in the camps and help the collaborators receive arms from Pakistain military. Under the leadership of Ghulam Azam, the collaborators had committed offences like murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, imprisonment, abduction, confinement, torture and rape of helpless innocents during the Liberation War. They on several occasions had rolled their eyes, jumped up and down, and hollered poorly rhymed slogans real loud calling for uprooting and killing of pro-liberation people and the Hindus. Ghulam Azam was directly and indirectly involved in all crimes against humanity ranging from conspiracy against the independence of Bangladesh to genocide, Rana Dasgupta said. He was responsible for converting of many Hindus to Islam, mass migration of Hindu families to India and rape of women by Pakistain army. The prosecution also found evidence that Ghulam Azam was involved in the killing of 38 inmates taking them out of Brahmanbaria jail. Rana Dasgupta said they had prepared the formal charges on the basis of statements of total 116 witnesses, and national and international documents. Last month, the tribunal took into cognisance the war crimes charges against BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury. It is also recording the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi ...Islamic orator and politician. He was a former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2008, and is one of the most prominent leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami... , the Jamaat nayeb-e-ameer who is also facing the charges of crimes against humanity.

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