ZCZC
BSS-09
ICT-VERDICT-TIPU
Death for Rajshahi Razakar Tipu
DHAKA, Dec 11, 2019 (BSS) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1
today sentenced Razakar Md Abdus Sattar alias Tipu Sultan from Boalia,
Rajshahi, to death for his crimes against humanity in 1971.
Justice Md Shahinur Islam, chairman of the three-judge panel of the
tribunal, sentenced Tipu to death as both the charges framed against him,
were proved beyond any reasonable doubt.
The three judges read out the summary of the 177-page judgement one by
one, with the chairman reading out the sentencing portion at the end.
“…he be hanged by the neck till he is dead, under section 20 (2) of
the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973… the ‘sentences of death’ as
awarded above, in respect of charge no 01 and 02 will get merged,” the order
said.
The tribunal on October 17 kept the date of the judgement on CAV, curia
advisari vult (a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits judgement), as the
prosecution and defence concluded their arguments in the case on that day.
Prosecutors Mokhlesur Rahman Badal and Sabina Yesmin Khan moved the case
against Tipu, while Advocate Gazi MH Tamim stood for the accused.
“The tribunal has awarded him death sentence considering the gravity of
his crimes and we are happy over the judgement,” prosecutor Badal said.
Tipu was an active follower of Islamic Chhatra Sangha, then student wing
of Jamaat-e-Islami, and joined Razakar Bahini in his locality as the war
begin. He was also arrested under the collaborators act in 1972.
The tribunal on May 14, 2017, issued production warrant against the
accused as he was behind bars already in connection with another case filed
with Motihar Police station of Rajshahi. Tipu was produced before the
tribunal on July 10, 2017, and he was sent to prison as he was shown arrested
in connection with this case.
The prosecution on May 29, 2018, submitted formal charge against the
accused and the tribunal on the same day took into cognizance the charges
pressed against him.
The tribunal on August 8, 2018, framed two charges of crimes against
humanity including abduction, confinement, torture, plunder and murder
against Tipu.
A total of 14 witnesses including investigation officer (IO) testified
in the case.
BSS/MHR/FI/ 1515 hrs