1971-09-19
By Associated Press
Page: 8
Karachi Paper Says Verdict on Bengali Is Due Soon
KARACHI, Pakistan, Sept. 18 (AP)—The secret military trial of Sheik Mujibur Rahman, the East Pakistani leader charged with “waging war” on Pakistan, has ended, the Government‐owned Morning News reported today.
The tribunal's report will soon Ea submitted to President Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan, it said.
The account was not confirmed by official sources. The English ‐language newspaper quoted as its source a report published by the Urdu‐language press in the Punjabi capital of Lahore.
The Government has issued no information on the proceedings since the Aug. 20 announcement that a Karachi lawyer, Allahbux Khan Brohi, had been named as Sheik Mujib's defense counsel, but informed sources said the trial was postponed to Sept. 1.
Sheik Mujib, 51‐year ‐old leader of the outlawed Awami League, was arrested March 26 after the army moved against his party in Dacca.
The Morning News said he was housed in a special type of jail in West Pakistan where he was attended by two servants and given a daily medical checkup.
Sheik Mujib faces a penalty of death or a life sentence, which in Pakistan means 14 years in jail.