Azharul Trial: Charge framing defective, claims defence

A defence counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, also a 1971 'Al Badr' commander, termed on Wednesday 'procedural error' the tribunal's action that had taken cognisance of the offence against his client as no such thing exists in the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, the substantive law, reports UNB.

Advocate A Sobhan Tarafder came up with the view while submitting the defence case summing-up arguments for the fourth day.

On July 25, last year, in exercise of its power under section 29 (1) of the International Crimes Tribunal Rules of Procedure, the three-member tribunal, took cognisance of the offence against detained accused Azharul, upon examination of the formal charge, the investigation report, the papers, documents and the evidence submitted by the prosecution disclosing a prima facie case for trial of the accused.