Latif Siddiqui seeks death penalty for himself at tribunal
Collected Photo
Former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui has demanded ‘the death penalty for himself’ in a case over the alleged massacre surrounding Hefazat e Islam Bangladesh’s grand rally at Shapla Chattar in the capital on May 5, 2013.
On Thursday afternoon, after the hearing in the case, Latif Siddiqui was being taken from the dock in the tribunal courtroom to the holding cell. At that time, he was heard saying, “I wanted to say that you should hang me.”
Latif Siddiqui was not allowed to speak before International Crimes Tribunal 2 that day despite seeking permission. He was shown arrested in the case over the genocide allegations and ordered to be sent to jail. A three member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury showed Latif Siddiqui arrested in the case.
During the hearing, his lawyer applied for permission for Latif Siddiqui to make a statement before the court. The tribunal did not accept the application. At that time, Latif Siddiqui said through the microphone in the dock, “Honorable court, I would like to draw your attention.” After he repeated the same words several times, the tribunal said, “Who is speaking? Who allowed him to speak? Stop here for today.”
At that point, Latif Siddiqui commented, “Oh no, oh no, oh no. If this is the court, where do I go?” Police officers then tried to remove the microphone from him. At one stage, Latif Siddiqui exchanged heated words with the police officers.
Later, while Latif Siddiqui was being taken from the dock to the tribunal’s holding cell, a journalist asked him what he wanted to say at the tribunal. Latif Siddiqui replied, “I wanted to say that you should hang me.”
His younger brother and Krishak Sramik Janata League President Bongobir Kader Siddique was present at the tribunal during the hearing. He claimed that Latif Siddiqui was completely innocent in the Shapla Chattar incident. He said, “This is completely unjust and motivated.”
