Expert witness refuses to testify before ECCC: On 9 August 2016, Michael Vickery announced to the Khmer rouge tribunal that he no longer wishes to testify as an expert witness. The renowned historian was due to begin his testimony on August 1st. The court stated that the decision stemmed from advice given to Vickery by a lawyer friend that he should not testify. The news came as a disappointment to both the defence and prosecution, with co-prosecutor William Smith stating that he hoped Vickery ‘would reconsider’ and defence lawyer Victor Koppe stating that it was ‘unfortunate’. (The Phnom Penh Post)
ICT Bangladesh sentences Sakhawat Hossain to death; 7 others to life: On 10 August 2016, the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh sentenced ex-Jamaat-e-Islami MP Sakhawat Hossain to death for his role in leading a unit that aided in the killing, raping and torturing of civilians. The three-member panel of the special tribunal for war crimes also sentenced 7 other individuals to remain in prison until their deaths. It is believed that around 3 million people were killed and 200,000 women were raped by Pakistani soldiers, aided by local collaborators, during Bangladesh’s independence war in 1971. The Jamaat-e-Islami party, which campaigned against Bangladesh’s independence and assisted the Pakistani army, has denounced the tribunal as politically motivated. (abc news, DW)
The post 11 August 2016 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS – ECCC expert witness not to testify, and ICT Bangladesh sentences 1 to death; 7 to life appeared first on ICL Media Review.