Evidence found against 3 ‘Razakars’

Investigators have primarily found evidence against three suspected war criminals of Patuakhali and Chapainawabganj districts for their alleged crimes against humanity committed during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

The accused are: Forkan Mallik, 63, a resident of Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali; and Mahidur Rahman, 84, and Afsar Hossain alias Chutu, 65, residents of Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj.

Investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal has prepared separate probe reports in two cases and is likely to submit those to the prosecution tomorrow, Abdul Hannan Khan, chief coordinator of the agency, said at a press briefing today.

During the Liberation War, Forkan, Mahidur and Afsar were members of Razaker Bahini (a force of Pakistani collaborators) but they are now only supporters of BNP, the investigator told reporters at the agency’s Dhanmondi office in Dhaka.

“We found proof against Forkan of looting, torture, confinement, killing, mass killing, rape and forced conversion,” Hannan said.

“Forkan allegedly killed eight people, raped four women, converted nine people of other religions to Islam, deported 13 families, looted and torched 64 houses during the Liberation War in 1971,” he said.

Investigators found evidences of mass killing, looting and arson against Mahidur and Afsar, the investigator added.

Forkan is now in jail in connection with the war crimes case filed with Mirzaganj Police Station.

On the other hand, Mahidur and Afsar were arrested in a criminal case filed with the Shibganj Police Station of Chapainawabganj.

In the reports, investigators showed at least 34 witnesses in the Forkan’s war crimes case while 24 witnesses in the case against Mahidur and Afsar.