Recording of Mamun’s testimony flawed: Hasina’s Lawyer

State-appointed defence lawyer Md Amir Hossain has alleged that the process of recording testimony in the murder case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was flawed.

He claimed that the confessional statement of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun was taken through an unlawful and defective procedure.

He said, “The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate gave Chowdhury Mamun two hours and thirty minutes before recording his confessional statement. However, the magistrate did not inform him of the consequences of giving such a statement.”

On Tuesday (September 9), during the 14th day of witness testimony in the crimes against humanity case involving incidents from July–August, Amir Hossain raised these concerns in the tribunal against three accused, including Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

The testimony was heard before the judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder.

Appearing as a witness that day, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain told the tribunal that on March 24, in the presence of Investigation Officer Alamgir Hossain and defence counsel Zayed Bin Amjad, he recorded the testimony of Chowdhury Mamun. He added that prior to recording, Mamun was given two and a half hours—from 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm—in his chamber. After due consideration, Chowdhury Mamun voluntarily gave his statement.

Later, during cross-examination, state-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain, representing Sheikh Hasina and Kamal, asked, “You did not inform him of the consequences before recording his statement, did you?” In reply, the magistrate said, “I have mentioned everything in the certificate. As a former IGP, Chowdhury Mamun was fully aware of the consequences of making a confessional statement.”