FE REPORT
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Sunday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) in Dhaka that there was no internal or external instigation behind the proposal to appoint Prof Muhammad Yunus as the head of interim government.
He made the statement while testifying in a crimes against humanity case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun are also accused in the case.
During cross-examination by Advocate Md Amir Hossain, the state-appointed lawyer for the two absconding accused -- Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan -- Nahid Islam rejected claims that the proposal to appoint Professor Yunus was influenced by internal or external forces. "That is not true," he said.
Testifying for the third consecutive day, Nahid Islam, the 47th witness in the case, also denied that the one-point programme adopted on August 3, 2024 to overthrow the government was the result of long-term planning.
He dismissed allegations that internal or external forces orchestrated the movement and rejected claims that
Sheikh Hasina refused to resign on August 5, 2024 or was forced to flee to India.
Speaking to reporters at the tribunal, Mr Nahid called for the Awami League to be held accountable as a party.
"The Awami League should be brought under trial; sufficient evidence has now reached the tribunal.
"Since Sheikh Hasina, as party chief, decided to go against the people and kill them to cling to power, the people resisted and overthrew her. Politically, this is a crime committed by the Awami League as a party," he said.
After Nahid Islam's cross-examination and testimony from another witness on Sunday, the three-member ICT-1 bench, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, adjourned proceedings until Monday.
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