Case against 2 suspects nears final stage

Proceedings in a case against two Kishoreganj war crimes accused is set to enter the final stage with International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday fixing February 12 for closing arguments.

Moreover, the tribunal recorded the testimony of the first prosecution witness in a case against five Moulvibazar men who allegedly committed crimes during the Liberation War.

In the Kishoreganj case, the court completed recording the testimony of the lone defence witness, Dween Islam Bachchu, also a son of accused Muhammad Moslem Pradhan.

Hearing the arguments, the tribunal will keep the verdict waiting for delivery, as has been in similar cases.

The other accused is Syed Mohammad Hussain alias Hossain, 64, younger brother of convicted war criminal Syed Hasan Ali. The duo faces six charges. Moslem, 66, is now in jail while Hussain on the run.

The charges include forcing Hindus in Dampara village under Nikli Police Station in Kishoreganj to convert to Islam in mid-August; and abducting, confining and torturing four people in Nikli Bazar from September 2 to October 19.

The others are over the killing of 26 people in Gurui village on September 6; killing of 35 Hindus and torturing of four others in Dampara village on September 23; and abduction   and   murder   of   freedom fighter Abdul Malek of Purbogram village under Nikli.

The last charge is over the killing of freedom fighters Khairul Jahan Bir Pratik and Md Selim Bir Pratik under Hossainpur Police Station on November 26.