War crimes accused Sulaiman dies

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday adjourned the closing arguments till November 1 of the case against Sulaiman Mollah and Edris Ali Sarder of Shariatpur after Sulaiman's death earlier in the day.

Sulaiman, 84, from Kashipur Muslimpara in Shariatpur Sadar, died of old age complications at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Jahangir Kabir, senior superintendent of the Dhaka Central Jail, told The Daily Star.

The prosecution was supposed to place their arguments yesterday for the second day.

Prosecutor Zead Al Malul prayed for the adjournment until the jail authorities submit a formal report about the death. The three-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque granted his prayer. Sulaiman was a Muslim League leader who in 1971 formed the Peace Committee and Razakar Bahini in Shariatpur. Edris was a leader of Islami Chhatra Sangha, then student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, and joined Razakars, according to the prosecution. Edris is now on the run.

Meanwhile, the tribunal granted a prosecution's petition to interrogate five war crimes accused from Mymensingh -- Abdur Rahim, Jalal Uddin, Abdus Salam, Suruj Ali Fakir and Joynuddin Faruki -- at tribunal's investigation agency's safe home for one day between November 6 and 10.

The decision came following a petition moved by Prosecutor Abul Kalam.

Another accused Shamsher Fakir of the same district is on the run.