This file photo shows BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury is being produced before the International Crimes Tribunal.
A special tribunal in Bangladesh may deliver any day its judgement on BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury who is facing charges of war crimes.
Chowdhury, 64-year old BNP standing committee member, is facing 23 charges of wartime offences which he allegedly committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.
The tribunal could deliver a verdict any day, informed Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 after wrapping up the closing arguments of Chowdhury’s war crimes case.
“We are keeping the case CAV [Curia Advisari Vult, a Latin legal term meaning verdict would be delivered anytime],” Justice Kabir said.
During their closing arguments, the prosecution sought capital punishment for Chowdhury claiming that they had been able to prove all the charges against him while the defence termed their client as innocent.
If convicted, the BNP leader might have to walk to the gallows.
On December 16, 2010, law enforcers arrested Chowdhury at Banani in the capital in connection with torching a car at Moghbazar on June 26.
Later, he was shown arrested for his alleged involvement with crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, following an arrest warrant issued by a tribunal on December 19, 2010.
Salauddin was allegedly involved in the killings of Nutan Singh, founder of herbal medicine factory Kundeshwari Oushadhalaya, and 35 people at Jagatmallo Para and 69 others at Unasattar Para in Chittagong during the War of Independence, according to prosecutor.
Primary investigation shows Chowdhury with the help of Pakistan occupation forces led the murders and tortures near his Goods Hill residence in the port city, the prosecutor noted.
Source: The Daily Star
