On 22 January 2013, Abul Kalam Azad was convicted of one offence of genocide and six offence of crimes against humanity in the first judgement of the Bangladesh war crimes tribunal (ICT). He has been sentenced to death. 

 

Below is the first of a number of analyses compiled by Dhaka-based journalist, David Bergman, looking at the shortcomings of the trial and judgement. 

 

It points out that - in contradiction to what was stated in the judgement - the manner in which the in absentia trial took place is not supported by any international court/tribunal practice and would almost certainly be deemed in breach of the International Convention on Civil and Political rights as there was a serious lacking in the adequacy of the defense lawyer appointed by the tribunal.

 

 

Also, for those interested to read the details of the charge framing, witness testimony, cross examination and the judgement, this page provides links to all the proceedings during the trial

 

 

For further articles on the ICT by David Bergman, please click here or alternatively follow on twitter.