Probe report provided to prosecution

International Crimes Tribunal's investigation agency yesterday handed over to the prosecution a report on its probe on war crimes allegations against 12 persons of Jessore, including ex-BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shakhawat Hossain.

Investigation officer Abdur Razzak Khan submitted the 42-page report, witnesses' statements and other documents, prosecutor Zead Al Malum told The Daily Star.

If those are found to be satisfactory, the prosecution will submit formal charges to initiate trial, he said.

Completing their probe, investigators on June 14 said they found “evidence” of crimes against humanity the 12 allegedly committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

They were said to be involved in killing two persons, raping one and torturing two others in Keshabpur of Jessore in the Bangla month of Ashwin (between mid-September and mid-October).

Of the 12, four including, Shakhawat, 61, now involved in Jatiya Party politics, are in jail. The remaining arrestees are Billal Hossain Biswas, 75, of Nehalpur village; Akram Hossain, 59, of Bhalukghar Mollapara; and Ajihar Morol, 64, of Chingra village.

Ibrahim Hossain of Nehalpur, Sheikh Md Mujibur Rahman and Kazi Ohidul Islam of Shekhpura, Aziz Sardar of Mominpur, Aziz Sardar of Boga, Lutfar Morol of Porchakra, Abdul Khaleq Morol of Altapol and Moshiar Rahman of Chingra are on the run.

ICT-1

Meanwhile, International Crimes Tribunal-1 heard closing arguments from a defence counsel in the case against three “Bagerhat Razakars” facing seven charges of genocide and crimes against humanity committed in the district during the Liberation War.

Sarwar Hossain, representing Khan Akram Hossain and Abdul Latif Talukdar, placed arguments on the fifth, sixth and seventh charges, which are related to the duo's alleged atrocities.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim asked state appointed defence counsel of Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master to place arguments on Sunday.

The prosecution completed placing closing arguments on factual aspects on Wednesday.