War crimes: Satkhira ex-MP, 3 others indicted

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 today framed seven charges against four Satkhira men including the district ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami over their alleged involvement in crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam fixed April 15 for beginning of the trial with recording of the testimony of prosecution witnesses.

According to the charges submitted in March last year, the four were allegedly involved in killing of six persons, torturing of 14 people and raping of two women in different areas of Sadar and Ashashuni upazilas in the district.

The accused are Abdul Khaleq Mandol, 72, Satkhira Jamaat's chief and a former lawmaker; M Abdullah Al Baki alias Abdullah Hel Baki, 103; Khan Rokonuzzaman, 64, and Jahirul Islam alias Jahirul Haque alias Tikka Khan. All are from Sadar upazila.

Of them, Khaleq Mandol is in jail while Baki was released on bail. The two are yet to be arrested.

Tribunal's investigation agency on February 8 last year said to have found evidence against the four persons.

According to the agency, Khaleq was involved with Islami Chhatra Sangha, the then student wing of Jamaat, since 1967 and during the war, he acted as the organiser of Razakar Bahini in Satkhira.