Decision on indictment of 13 Bagerhat men May 31
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday fixed May 31 to decide whether it will take cognisance of the charges brought against 13 Bagerhat men for allegedly committing crimes during the Liberation War in 1971.
The two-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque fixed the date, a day after the prosecution pressed seven charges against the alleged Razakars. Another judge was on leave yesterday.
The 13 were “involved” in killing, rape, abduction, confinement, torture, looting, and arson attack at Kachua and Morrelganj upazilas in Bagerhat, according to the charges.
The accused are Khan Ashraf Ali, 65; Khan Akram Hossain, 60; Sultan Ali Khan, 68; Rustam Ali Mollah, 70; Edris Ali Mollah, 64; Moksed Ali Didar, 83; Sheikh Mohammad Ukil Uddin, 62; Sheikh Edris Ali, 61; Rafiqul Islam alias Babul, 64; Moniruzzaman Hawlader, 69; Hashem Ali Sheikh, 79; Azhar Ali Sikder, 64; and Mokbul Mollah, 79.
Of them, Akram, Edris Ali Mollah, Ukil Uddin and Mokbul Mollah are in custody while the rest are yet to be arrested, the prosecution said. The seven charges are: killing 10 people, injuring two others and looting 40-50 houses in Capri and Teligati villages; murdering four people in Hajrakhali and Boikhali villages; killing two unarmed freedom fighters in Dhuligati village; murdering four people in Bilkul and Bichat villages; killing a man in Bilkul village; and raping four women for over a month.
Meanwhile, the tribunal deferred the date to May 9 to decide whether it will accept charges brought against four Satkhira men including the district Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, over their alleged involvement in war-time crimes. Yesterday was fixed for giving the decision but the tribunal changed the date as a judge was on leave yesterday. The prosecution on March 19 pressed seven charges against them.
The accused -- Abdul Khaleq Mandol, Satkhira Jamaat's chief and a former lawmaker; M Abdullah Al Baki alias Abdullah Hel Baki, Khan Rokonuzzaman, and Jahirul Islam alias Jahirul Haque alias Tikka Khan -- are from the Sadar upazila.
Of them, Khaleq is in jail while Baki -- who, according to the prosecution, is the world's oldest war crimes accused -- is now on bail. Two other accused are yet to be arrested.
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