Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

Bangladesh

3 ex-investigators sent to prison

2011-07-07

[Bangla Daily Star] Three former Criminal Investigation Department Sherlocks accused in the August 21 grenade attack cases were sent to jail after they surrendered before a Dhaka court yesterday. The three are also accused of misleading the probe into the grenade attack cases. Metropolitan Magistrate Keshob Roy Chowdhury sent them to jail when former special superintendent of police Ruhul Amin and two former assistant superintendents of police Munshi Atiqur Rahman and Abdur Rashid appeared before the court seeking bail. They sought bail in the case filed in connection with the killing of 24 people in the grisly grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004. During the hearing on bail petition, their lawyer Abdus Sobhan told the court that his clients were implicated in the case as part of a conspiracy to harass them. He said the rules allow his clients to have bail. Moreover, another case was filed against them in connection with misleading the probe and they have received bail in that case, he said. Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told the court that the charges brought against the accused were primarily proved. The three accused had earlier misled the probe into the grenade attack cases and he prayed for sending them to jail rejecting their bail. On Monday, three former police chiefs--Ashraful Huda, Khoda Baksh Chowdhury and Shahudul Haque--were also sent to jail after they had surrendered before the same court seeking bail. Two cases were filed after the attack. One for murder of 24 people and the other under Explosive Substances Act. EXPLOSIVES CASE Hearing on the charges against 30 new accused, including BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, in the case filed under Explosive Substances Act will be held on July 14. After scrutinising the case dockets and other relevant documents, Judge Mohammad Zohurul Haque of Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court fixed the date for hearing on taking into cognizance the charges against the accused. The court also directed the jail authorities to produce 12 accused, including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, on that day. BACKGROUND Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina narrowly beat feet when a barrage of grenades went kaboom! at an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004, killing 24 people. President Zillur Rahman's wife and Awami League leader Ivy Rahman died and 500 others were maimed. In 2008, the CID submitted charge sheets against 22 people including former BNP deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu and 21 Harkatul Jihad men including thug kingpin Mufti Hannan. On August 3, 2008, a Dhaka court ordered the CID Sherlocks to further probe the grenade attack as the earlier investigation failed to reveal the sources of the grenades and identify the criminal masterminds. After 14 time extensions, the CID on Sunday submitted the supplementary charge sheet accusing 30 more people.

Link

Bangladesh

Bail denied to 4 Jamaat leaders

2011-04-22

[Bangla Daily Star] The International Crimes Tribunal yesterday rejected a bail petition filed by jugged four top Jamaat leaders in connection with crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. The leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami-- Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, assistant secretaries general Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla-- were produced before the court yesterday morning. The court also rejected another petition filed by Nizami and Mojahid seeking review of its April 13 order which allowed Sherlocks to quiz them at a "safe home" in the capital instead of Dhaka Central Jail about their links with war crimes. The three-member tribunal headed by its Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq passed the orders after hearing arguments from the defence counsel and the prosecution on the petitions. The jail authorities were asked to arrange proper treatment for the accused inside the jail, and, if necessary, allow them to receive treatment at Birdem Hospital at their own cost. The court also directed the prison authorities to allow the leaders to collect necessary medicine from outside the jail. The Sherlocks have to complete the probe into allegations against the Jamaat leaders as early as possible, it said. The prosecution has to submit the progress report, if the Sherlocks fail to complete the probe, by June 1. The Sherlocks were ordered to inform counsels of Nizami and Mojahid 48 hours before holding the interrogation so the accused can consult with their lawyers and be prepared. The tribunal said during interrogation the accused should not be harassed in any manner, and their lawyers will be present in the adjacent room. It said the Sherlocks will question the Jamaat leaders about the documents and evidence they have collected but the statements of the accused during the interrogation will not be treated as evidence. And this provision will be incorporated amending the tribunal's rules of procedure, added the court. The four leaders sought bail on medical grounds. Nizami and Mojahid filed the review petition apprehending that they would be harassed in the name of interrogation. Advocate Tajul Islam appeared for the accused while Prosecutor Syed Haider Ali opposed the petitions.

Link

Bangladesh

No bail for Sayedee

2011-04-21

[Bangla Daily Star] The International Crimes Tribunal yesterday rejected a bail petition filed by Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee in connection with war crimes. The tribunal also fixed today for the hearing on two other petitions filed on behalf of other top four Jamaat-e-Islami leaders-- Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, assistant secretaries general Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla. Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, assistant secretaries general Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla. In one of the two petitions, the four Jamaat leaders sought bail in connection with charges of war crimes. The other petition was filed by Nizami and Mojahid seeking review of the tribunal's order on April 13 which allowed Sherlocks to quiz them at a "safe home" in the capital instead of Dhaka Central Jail about their links with war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War. All the five Jamaat leaders were produced before the court yesterday. The three-member tribunal headed by its Chairman Justice Nizamul Huq directed the prison authorities to allow Sayedee, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, to receive treatment at Birdem Hospital at his own cost. The tribunal also asked the prosecution to submit a report of the investigation into the allegations against Sayedee as early as possible. The prosecution has to submit the progress report, if it fails to submit the full investigation report, by May 31. It ordered the jail authorities to produce Nizami, Mojahid, Kamaruzzaman and Quader before the tribunal today. Sayedee's counsel barrister Tanvir Ahmed Al Amin yesterday prayed for conditional bail of his client on medical and humanitarian grounds. Opposing the bail prayer, Prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman said the Sherlocks have collected documents and evidence of Sayedee having committed crimes against humanity and war crimes during the Liberation War. If Sayedee is released on bail, the investigation into the allegations against him might get hampered, he continued. He also sought permission so the jail authorities can keep Sayedee in jug until the investigation is completed.

Link

Bangladesh

Safe home worries Jamaat

2011-04-17

[Bangla Daily Star] Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed concern over the lives of its leaders Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, who will be quizzed at a "safe home" in Dhanmondi instead of Dhaka Central Jail for links to war crimes. Terming the "safe home" a torture cell, Jamaat acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam said, "We are deeply concerned about the safety of our leaders. The Safe Home is in an area, which is considered a ruling party stronghold." He was speaking at a presser at the party headquarters in the city's Moghbazar area. The Jamaat leader announced a countrywide protest rally on April 18 demanding cancellation of the remand of the two party leaders. "The government will have to take the full responsibility, if anything happens to the two top leaders," Ahzarul said. The International Crimes Tribunal on April 13 allowed interrogators to quiz the two at a "Safe Home" in Dhanmondi from 10:00am to 5:00pm on two dates. During a court hearing, defence counsel Munshi Ahsan Kabir said the "safe home" is in a residential area that lacks security and medical facilities. But Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipoo rejected the claim and told the court that the "Safe Home" is well-secured. On April 5, the tribunal allowed Sherlocks to quiz Nizami and Mojahid inside Dhaka Central Jail in connection with 1971 war crimes.

Link

Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami: India plotted intellectuals' murder

2010-12-15

There's no limit to the size of the lies you can concoct if you have no regard whatsoever for the truth. [Bangla Daily Star] Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the party widely condemned for opposing the country's independence and collaborating with Pak occupation force during the Liberation War, is now accusing India of planning the murders of intellectuals on December 14, 1971. All that proves is that the JeI leaders understand what a problem the murders are ... "The intellectuals had stayed in the country till December 14, 1971 as they felt safe here. They were against a war being fought from India. That big power realised that they won't become its agents," said Jamaat's Acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam yesterday. "So, it cannot be said that the big power [India] was not behind the killings of the intellectuals as the trial for the crimes was not held." He was addressing a discussion to mark the Martyred Intellectuals' Day. Jamaat's Dhaka city unit organised the event at its Paltan office. After the discussion, when this correspondent asked Azhar if he was refusing that Pak Army and their local collaborators were behind the killings, the Jamaat leader said he wouldn't make further comments as he had told everything in the speech. Sensing defeat the Pakistain army and their local collaborators -- razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams -- on December 14, 1971 killed eminent doctors, academicians, engineers, journalists and educationalist. They do a lotta "sensing" over there... It's a sensitive part of the world. Curious, though, that the Pakistani army and their local collaborators so thoroughly executed -- so to speak -- the Indian plot. One would think they'd oppose on general principles anything coming from the devious Hinjoo, as the Pakistanis so cleverly misname them. Azhar in his speech said, the intellectuals were killed on December 14 but the Indian Army had already captured the entire capital on December 12. Jamaat's Dhaka city unit acting Ameer Hamidur Rahman Azad said they [the intellectuals] were killed because they didn't want Bangladesh to be subservient to India. Jamaat top brass including its chief Motiur Rahman Nizami are now facing trial for crimes against humanity in 1971. In 2007, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid in another outrageous comment said there were no war criminals in the country.

Link

Bangladesh

6 Jammat leaders make bail

2010-11-29

[Bangla Daily Star] The High Court (HC) yesterday granted ad interim bail to six top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders including its chief and secretary general in four separate cases. But the Jamaat leaders would not get released from jail following the HC orders, as they are accused in other cases. The six leaders are Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, Nayeb-e-Ameer Delawar Hossain Sayedee, Senior Assistant Secretary General Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, leader Abdul Kader Molla and its Dhaka city unit chief Rafiqul Islam Khan. An HC bench comprised of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice AKM Abdul Hakim issued separate rules upon the government to explain why the six Jamaat leaders should not be granted regular bails in the cases filed against them on charges of obstructing police in discharging their duties and vandalising cars. The bench came up with the orders and rules following separate bail petitions filed by the six Jamaat leaders, who were nabbed in June and July this year in connection with cases filed on charge of hurting religious sentiment of Mohammedan. Nizami, Mujahid and Sayedee got bail in the cases filed on June 20 with Paltan cop shoppe. Kamaruzzaman and Qader Molla got bail in the case filed on February 12 with Paltan cop shoppe and Rafiqul Islam Khan got bail in two cases filed on June 26 and 27 with New Market and Ramna cop shoppes. The case filed with Ramna cop shoppe against Rafiqul was on charge of vandalising cars.

Link

Bangladesh

Nizami, Mojahid, Sayedee denied bail in 5 cases

2010-07-28

[Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court on Tuesday rejected bail prayers by detained Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and Nayeb-e-Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayedee in five cases. Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Ismail Hossain passed the order after their counsels submitted five separate petitions seeking bail in the cases filed with Paltan, Uttara and Raman police stations on different charges.

Link

Bangladesh

'71 killing case against Nizami, Mojahid sent to crimes tribunal

2010-07-23

The mills of God grind slowly in Bangladesh (unless the Rab is involved), but they grind exceeding small. A Dhaka court yesterday sent to the International Crimes Tribunal a case filed against Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, its secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and seven others for killing freedom fighters in 1971. Senior Judicial Magistrate Taibul Hassan passed the order after Officer-in-Charge of Keraniganj police station Mohammad Asaduzzaman, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted a petition before it seeking an order to transfer the case to the International Crimes Tribunal. Other accused are two assistant secretaries general of Jamaat Mohammad Abdul Quader Molla and Muhammad Quamruzzaman, Keraniganj upazila unit Amir Haji Nazim Uddin, Islami Chhatra Sangha leader KG Karim Babla, and Abul Kashem, Foyzur Rahman Foyaz and Yasin. The last three were Al-badr, Razakar and Al-shams activists during the war. Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka AKM Enamul Haque sent another case to the International Crimes Tribunal filed with Pallabi police station for killing 345 people during the country's Liberation War in 1971. On December 17 of 2008, Mozaffar Ahmad Khan, Dhaka District Muktijoddha Unit commander, filed the case with Keraniganj police station accusing Nizami, Mojahid and seven others for killing his nephew and one of his comrades on November 25, 1971. In yesterday's petition, Asaduzzaman said, the case is now treatable under the International Crimes Tribunal as it was filed for killing freedom fighters and other people during the Liberation War in 1971. So, the case should be transferred to the tribunal for its next course of action. The complainant said on November 25 of 1971, the accused hacked Osman Gani and Golam Mostafa to death when they went to their houses to meet their parents and relatives. PALLABI CASE On January 25 of 2008, Mohammad Amir Hossain Mollah, a wounded FF and resident of Pallabi's Duaripara, filed the case with Pallabi police station accusing Nizami, Mojahid, five of their party men and three non-Bangalees for the massacre of 345 people during the Liberation War. The other accused Quader Molla, Kamaruzzaman, Jamaat central leader and former Islami Chhatra Sangha president Sardar Abdul Salam and activist Khawza Ashim (now deceased), and Akhter 'Gunda', Newaz and Doma (non-Bangalees who later fled to Pakistan). The complainant stated that the Jamaat men killed them in city's Mirpur area. The victims included 21 of his relatives, one colleague, 43 Mirpur residents and 280 others from different areas of the country on April 24 and December 18 in 1971.

Link

Bangladesh

Jamaat leaders remanded in 3 cases

2010-07-20

[Bangla Daily Star] Four Jamaat-e-Islami leaders including its secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid were taken yesterday on a three-day remand each in three criminal cases filed with different police stations on different charges. The other leaders are Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayedee and two assistant secretaries general Abdul Quader Molla and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman. Metropolitan Magistrate Kamrunnahar Rumi placed Mojahid on a three-day remand in connection with a case filed for holding a "secret meeting" at a business office of detained Mahmudur Rahman in the capital's Uttara area on November 24 of 2006.

Link

Bangladesh

Nizami on 5-day fresh remand

2010-07-18

[Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court yesterday placed Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami on a five-day fresh remand in a case filed for killing 345 people during the country's Liberation War. Metropolitan Magistrate Moazzem Hossain issued the order after Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector Nurul Islam Siddiqui, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, produced Nizami before it seeking 10 days' remand. Earlier, on July 14 the same court granted a five-day remand each to detained Jamaat leaders Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla in the case. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, the party's secretary general, was also placed on a three-day remand on July 15 in the same case. In the remand prayer, the IO stated that Motiur Rahman Nizami along with his party's top leaders had killed a huge number of people during the country's liberation struggle in 1971. They had also raped women, looted and torched houses at that time. So they need to be remanded to find out reasons behind the killings as well as the whereabouts of their accomplices responsible for committing such offences, the IO stated further. Defence lawyer Abdur Razzak submitted a petition seeking Nizami's bail as well as cancellation of the remand prayer saying his client was implicated in the case to politically harass him. The court, however, did not entertain the defence petition. Amir Hossain Mollah, who identified himself as a freedom fighter in his submission, filed the case on January 25, 2008, with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court. Meanwhile, the same court yesterday placed the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Saidur Rahman on a three-day fresh remand in a case filed against him on charge of subversion. The court sanctioned the remand after Detective Branch (DB) inspector Sheikh Mahbubur Rahman, also the IO of the case, produced Saidur before it with a seven-day remand prayer in the case filed by Kadamtali police on May 23. Earlier on July 12, the JMB chief was taken on a three-day remand in the same case.

Link

Bangladesh

Mojahid on fresh remand

2010-07-16

[Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court yesterday placed Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid on a three-day fresh remand in a case filed for killing 345 people during the country's Liberation War in 1971. Meantime, Jamaat Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami was also shown arrested on Wednesday in the case following an application submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department. CID also prayed for a ten-day remand to interrogate Nizami. The hearing on the remand prayer will be held in the court after he is produced before the court on expiry of his remand period in another case. Metropolitan Magistrate Roksana Begum Happy issued the remand order after CID Inspector Nurul Islam Siddiqui, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, produced Mojahid before it with a 10-day remand prayer. Earlier on Wednesday, the same court granted a five-day remand each to detained Jamaat leaders Muhammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Molla in the same case. Freedom fighter Amir Hossain Mollah filed the case on January 25, 2008, with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court. REMAND OF MOJAHID-SAYEDEE Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ali Hussain yesterday allowed Uttara police to take Mojahid and Sayedee on a three-day remand granted earlier in connection with a case filed with Uttara police for creating anti-state activities across the country. The duo were produced before it on completion of their 13 days' remand in four cases filed with Paltan and Ramna police stations on February 12, 17 and June 20 and 26. The two along with Nizami were shown arrested on June 30 in the case and they were placed on a three-day remand. CASE AGAINST SAYEDEE The same court yesterday re-fixed July 18 for hearing on a prayer for a seven-day remand of detained Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayedee in a case filed for attempt to kill late Prof Humayun Azad on February 27, 2004. Assailants stabbed prominent writer Humayun Azad brutally with machetes in front of Bangla Academy when he was on his way back to his residence. The court fixed the date again as CID Inspector Mostafizur Rahman, also the IO of the case, could not submit the case diary before it yesterday. The CID produced Sayedee before the court as it had fixed yesterday for hearing the remand prayer earlier. The IO on July 11 prayed for his seven-day remand. Sayedee was also shown arrested in connection with the case on the same day. REMAND OF JAMAAT LEADER'S RELATIVES Another Dhaka court yesterday placed seven people including Quader Molla's son and two sons-in-law and also Kamaruzzaman's son and nephew on a two-day remand in a case filed under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The arrestees are Quader's son Hasan Jamil and sons-in-law Zahirul Islam and Mahibullah, Kamaruzzaman's son Hasan Imam and nephew Mashqur Rahman Jitu, and Shibir activists Zaman and Monirul Huq. Metropolitan Magistrate GM Al Masud passed the order after Kotwali police produced them before it with a seven-day remand prayer. Police arrested them from the court on Wednesday on charges of attempts to deteriorate law and order on the court premises.

Link

Bangladesh

Arrests put Jamaat in deep trouble

2010-07-16

[Bangla Daily Star] Jamaat-e-Islami now struggles to come up with an effective strategy to face the current crisis arising from the large number of arrests of its party leaders across the country. Once they get the bit in their teeth, Bangladeshis run with it, it seems. First the Rab, now this -- I am quite impressed. Party leaders said they would observe the whole situation while keeping in touch with their international contacts That would be Pakistan's ISI, right? Good luck with that. and fight legal battles to free their leaders including Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami. ATM Azharul Islam, acting secretary general of Jamaat, said, "We are observing the situation. The legal battle to free our leaders will continue along with a peaceful movement." Jamaat lawmaker and its Dhaka unit general secretary Hamidur Rahman Azad said they cannot take the arrests of the party's top leaders lightly but being a political party they would put emphasis on a peaceful movement. Law enforcers on June 29 arrested Motiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and Delwar Hossain Sayedee and also detained Abdul Quader Molla and Mohammad Kamaruzzaman on 13 July. Of them, Molla and Kamaruzzaman were arrested on charge of mass murder in 1971. Party leaders however ruled out the idea that the party supporters and leaders of the new generation don't want controversial leaders, highly criticised for their dubious role during the Liberation War, to be at the helm of Jamaat. Both Azhar and Azad termed the war crimes allegations against Jamaat leaders funny. They said the government is using the issue in a planned way to weaken the opposition by crushing Jamaat. Azhar said the government targeted Jamaat to weaken the opposition fearing a possible anti-government movement. But it has to keep in mind that Jamaat is a political party, which is registered with the Election Commission and has representation in parliament. "It is true that we are worried about the present situation." But the party knows how to tackle it like it did in the past, he said. Azad said they would not accept such autocratic attitude of the government but they will continue a peaceful movement. A number of Jamaat leaders said they are worried about the arrests of the party leaders across the country and considered it a deep crisis for the party for the first time in the last two decades. They said the party has decided to adopt a wait-and-see policy for now.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More