BDR carnage: Accused to get opportunity for self-defence
Sunday, 22 March 2009
The accused of Peelkhana massacre will be given opportunity for self-defence in transparent trial on completion of the investigation, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed assured Saturday, reports UNB.
"Persons involved in the BDR mutiny will get a chance of self-defence in the process of trial, no matter what mechanism is taken to hold the trial," he told reporters at the sideline of Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute where the minister opened Amena Rahman Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
Hospital sources said Barrister Rafiqul Huq donated Tk 10 million (one crore) to the CCU, which was named after his mother-in-law Amena Rahman.
Asked about the process of trial of BDR carnage the minister said the government would decide on completion of investigation into the tragic incident.
The law minister avoided direct reply to a correspondent when asked if it would be construed as violation of human rights if the accused were court marshalled under the Army law. "Let us first finish the investigation," he said.
"It would not violate human rights as BDR is a disciplined force and it has its own law… If the government issues notification then there will be no barrier to start court marshal as BDR is a disciplined force like the Army," said eminent lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Huq who was standing close to the law minister.
Replying to another question, Barrister Shafique said other cases including trial of war criminals and case related to Bangabandhu killing would proceed along their natural course.
"Persons involved in the BDR mutiny will get a chance of self-defence in the process of trial, no matter what mechanism is taken to hold the trial," he told reporters at the sideline of Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute where the minister opened Amena Rahman Coronary Care Unit (CCU).
Hospital sources said Barrister Rafiqul Huq donated Tk 10 million (one crore) to the CCU, which was named after his mother-in-law Amena Rahman.
Asked about the process of trial of BDR carnage the minister said the government would decide on completion of investigation into the tragic incident.
The law minister avoided direct reply to a correspondent when asked if it would be construed as violation of human rights if the accused were court marshalled under the Army law. "Let us first finish the investigation," he said.
"It would not violate human rights as BDR is a disciplined force and it has its own law… If the government issues notification then there will be no barrier to start court marshal as BDR is a disciplined force like the Army," said eminent lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Huq who was standing close to the law minister.
Replying to another question, Barrister Shafique said other cases including trial of war criminals and case related to Bangabandhu killing would proceed along their natural course.