Staff Reporter:
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim yesterday claimed that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt all charges brought against Major General (dismissed) Ziaul Ahsan in a case filed for orchestrating the enforced disappearance and murder of over 100 people.
He made the statement while responding to questions from journalists during a press briefing on the ICT premises on Wednesday.
The 15th witness, investigating officer of the case Md Rafiqul Islam, partially testified on Wednesday. As his deposition could not be completed, the tribunal fixed Sunday for further testimony, Tamim said.
Once his testimony is completed, the prosecution’s presentation of evidence will conclude. The defence will then have the opportunity to present its witnesses, followed by the arguments stage.
“We have been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt every single charge brought against Ziaul Ahsan through the testimonies of the 15 witnesses,” Tamim said.
He said the investigating officer is explaining to the tribunal how the investigation was conducted, whose statements were recorded, which places were visited and what information and evidence were collected.
The investigation officer is also presenting the information and evidence gathered at different stages of the investigation to the tribunal, the prosecutor said.
He said several Army officers, including former Army chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, testified in the case.
According to the prosecutor, their testimonies included accounts of Ziaul Ahsan’s alleged activities and his alleged involvement in the crimes against humanity.
He also said the testimonies shed light on how officials of the former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) al-legedly became involved in such crimes over time.
