Female PW testifies against Mollah in camera

A female witness gave her testimonies behind closed doors against Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah for his alleged crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

It is the maiden incident of in camera trial at the war crimes tribunal. The closed doors trial was organised to protect the ‘identity and privacy’ of the witness.

Six counsels–three each from both defence and prosecution sides–and few court officials were present during the day’s proceedings, Md Ali, conducting prosecutor told reporters emerging from the in camera trial.

International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir, recorded the deposition of the witness.

Mollah was at the dock during the proceedings, Ali said.

The defence is scheduled to cross-examine her later in the day, he added.

On July 12, the tribunal decided to allow two female witnesses to give their testimonies today against Mollah behind closed doors following a prosecution petition stating that the two female witnesses were from families of victims who ‘wanted to give their testimony not in public, but in camera’.

The tribunal conducts proceedings in an open court where journalists and other observers could be present, but in camera, none except the judges, selected lawyers, accused and the court officials would be in the courtroom, the court said.

On May 28, the tribunal indicted Quader Mollah on six charges of crimes against humanity, including murders and mass killings.

The assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami was arrested in a criminal case on July 13, 2010 and later shown arrested in the case for crimes against humanity committed in 1971.

Source : The Daily Star