War crimes accused former JP lawmaker MA Hannan dies

Former Jatiya Party lawmaker MA Hannan, who was facing trial for allegedly committing crimes during the Liberation War, died of cancer today. He was 86.

Hannan died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University this morning, Rezia Sultana Chaman, a prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal, told The Daily Star.

Hannan was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on June 5 after he fell ill in Kashimpur Central Jail, said Jailer Rabiul Islam, adding that he was admitted to BSMMU the next day.

On June 7, Hannan tested positive for Covid-19, the jailer also said. Hannan's body has been kept at DMC morgue for autopsy.

Hannan, former lawmaker from Trishal (Mymensingh-7 constituency), his son Sajjad, and six others from Mymensingh were made accused in a case filed for allegedly committing crimes during the Liberation War in 1971.

Hannan, his son and three others were arrested on October 1, 2015 while the rest are on the run.

The prosecution in October 2016 pressed six charges against the eight accused, including Hannan and his son. The tribunal took the charges into cognisance on December 11 that year.

The case is still in trial stage.

Hannan, the alleged general secretary of Mymensingh district Peace Committee (an anti-liberation organisation in 1971), was the second incumbent lawmaker arrested in connection with war crimes case. BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was shown arrested in a war crimes case in December 2010 when he was a lawmaker of the then opposition party in the parliament. Quader was executed in November 2015.