Ex-AL leader, another to stand trial in absentia
International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday decided to try in absentia two persons, a former president of Awami League's Lakhai upazila unit in Habiganj and another a resident of Kishoreganj's Astogram upazila, for allegedly committing crimes during the 1971 Liberation War.
The tribunal also heard prosecutor Zead Al Malum's petition seeking time and sought on October 15 formal charges, if there were any, against five Patuakhali sadar men who were allegedly involved in similar crimes.
An earlier police report stated that the Habiganj leader, Liakat Ali, 61, and Aminul Islam alias Rajab Ali, 62, were fugitives. Moreover, the duo did not respond to advertisements in two national dailies seeking their appearance.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque appointed Gazi MH Tamim as the defence counsel and fixed September 29 for the charge hearing.
Seven charges were pressed on May 3 saying they were “found to have been involved in” over seven criminal incidents of looting and killing of 102 men, including 86 Hindus in Lakhai, one Rangu Mia in Nasirnagar and 15 in Astogram's Sabiyanagar.
Of the Lakhai killings, 43 were in Krishnapur, nine in Chandipur, 26 in Gadainagar and eight in Sadanagar village.
The Patuakhali accused are Esahaq Shikder, Abdul Goni Hawlader and Md Awal alias Awal Moulavi of Galachipa, Abdus Sattar Pyada and Solaiman Mridha.
According to the tribunal's investigation agency, Esahaq was a member of a local Peace Committee, an anti-liberation organisation, while the rest were members of a local Razakar Bahini, an auxiliary force of the Pakistani occupation army.
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