Decision on Patuakhali ‘Razakar’ indictment Dec 18

A tribunal in Dhaka will take decision on December 18 whether it will frame charges against war crimes suspect Forkan Mallik for his alleged crimes against humanity in Patuakhali during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by its Chairman Justice Obaidul Hasan fixed the date after hearing on charges brought against Forkan.

Prosecution on November 17 pressed eight charges against the alleged Razakar commander, 63, hails from Chailabunia village in Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali.

The charges include mass killing, murder, rape, arson and forced religious conversion.

During today’s hearing, Prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman Badal read out the charges before the tribunal in presence of the Forkan.

Earlier on June 25, the Detective Branch of police arrested Forkan at Rupatali Bus Stand in Barisal. He was later shown arrested in the war crimes case. An investigation agency of the international crimes tribunals completed investigation into the allegations against him on October 27.

Forkan was involved with anti-liberation Muslim League in 1971.