The late Badruddin Umar, the renowned writer, researcher, and president of the National Liberation Council, had provided testimony to the investigating officer in a case involving crimes against humanity during the July uprising, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim confirmed on Sunday. However, Umar did not give his statement in court.
Speaking to journalists at the ICT premises, Prosecutor Tamim said, “Badruddin Umar was an important witness in this case. He had already given testimony to the investigating officer, though he did not appear before the tribunal for an in-court statement.”
Badruddin Umar passed away on Sunday morning around 10:00 AM at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Shyamoli, Dhaka. He was 94.
The case involves former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as accused. So far, 36 witnesses have provided testimony before the tribunal. Former IGP Al-Mamun has appeared as an approver witness.
Responding to questions on whether Umar’s death would impact the prosecution, Tamim explained that under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, if a witness dies after giving testimony to the investigating officer but before testifying at trial, the tribunal may accept the witness’s statement upon the prosecution’s request. He added that the prosecution has yet to decide whether Umar’s testimony will be used in this manner.
