Nizami not in ICT

The prison authorities are yet to take Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami to International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 because they say he is sick. The ICT is to pronounce its verdict on Nizami today (Tuesday). Senior Superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail Farman Ali said that Nizami’s physical condition deteriorated since Monday night. ‘Nizami’s blood pressure rose at night and he was prescribed medication … He was given sedatives by the doctors in the morning and is sleeping now,’ Farman Ali said. The prison official said that for the time being, there is no chance of taking him to court. Meanwhile, Nizami’s counsel Tajul Islam told reporters at the ICT premises that a verdict in absence of the defendant would not be in keeping with the law. ‘Pronouncing the verdict in absence of the accused will not be lawful.’ Prosecutor Tureen Afroz said that they have heard that the prison authorities have informed the tribunal that Nizami was ill. ‘He’s not a fugitive; he was present in court during the whole trial. It would not be just if the verdict is given in his absence. But it’s up to the tribunal’ she told reporters, according to bdnews24.com.