Recording statement deferred till July 1

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday deferred until July 1 recording statement of the first prosecution witness against war crimes suspect former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Nizamul Huq passed the order after the defence submitted a petition seeking adjournment of the recording.

Earlier on June 10, the tribunal following an opening statement given by the prosecution fixed June 24 (Sunday) for recording statement of the first prosecution witness.

Ghulam Azam, considered by many as the symbol of war crimes during the Liberation War in 1971, was indicted on five charges based on 60 incidents of crimes against humanity on May 13.

Earlier on January 5, the prosecution brought 62 specific charges against the former Jamaat chief.

On January 9, the tribunal accepted the charges against Ghulam Azam. After two days, the former ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami was sent to jail.