Noakhali war crimes suspect Abdul Kuddus denied bail

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday rejected a bail petition filed by war crimes accused Md Abdul Kuddus facing three charges for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

Kuddus, 84, filed the petition seeking his bail citing old age and poor health condition.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque said the prison authorities are providing Kuddus treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

His treatment will be continued, the tribunal said, adding that they did not find any reason to grant him bail right now.

The tribunal on October 14, accepted three charges against five persons including Kuddus from Noakhali's Sudharam upazila who were allegedly involved in crimes committed there during the war.

Among the five, police could arrest three persons -- Amir Ahmed alias Amir Ali, 70, Md Joynal Abedin, 73, and Mohammad Yusuf, 60. Another accused Abul Kalam alias AKM Mansur, 67, is yet to be arrested.

On October 14, the tribunal directed the Sudharam Police Station officer-in-charge to provide within three weeks a report over Abul Kalam's arrest.

The prosecution on October 5 pressed the charges over the killing of at least 111 people in three incidents.