DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 framed charge against Jamaat Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity in 1971.

The ICT has fixed December 1 for the opening statement of prosecution against Azhar.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir passed the orders on Tuesday.

A total of six allegations including abduction, confinement, torture, killing, superior responsibility, conspiracy and genocide were brought against ATM Azhar.

The tribunal read out the allegations against Azhar and asked him whether he has anything to say.

Claiming own self innocent, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General alleged that the charges, after 42 years of liberation, have been taken against him for political reasons only.

Earlier on July 25, the tribunal took the formal charges against the Jamaat leader into cognizance for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.

On July 18, state prosecutors Saiful Islam and Nurjahan Begum Mukta submitted the charges to registrar of International Crimes Tribunal.

ALLEGATIONS

1. Azhar was “directly’ involved in abduction of National Awami Party (NAP-Bhashani) leader and one of the organisers of the Liberation War AY Mahfuz Ali alias Jarrej Mia and 11 others between March 24 and March 27, and torture for several days.

All the detainees were shot dead at Dakhiganj Cremation Ground in Rangpur town on April 3, 1971.

2. A total of 15 unarmed Bangalees of Dhap Para in Badarganj were shot dead on April 16, 1971 and houses of the village were torched after looting. Azhar was “involved” in these atrocities.

3. Azhar was “involved” in killing over 1,200 unarmed Bangalees of Jharuar Beel of Badarganj were killed on April 17, 1971.

4. Azhar was “involved” in the abduction and killing of four professors of Rangpur Carmichael College and the wife of one of them. They were abducted from their houses on the college campus and shot dead near Damdama Bridge on April 30, 1971.

5. Azhar was “involved’ in torturing a person of Gupta Para at Rangpur town in mid-November.

6. On December 1, 1971, another person was abducted from Betpatti of the town and was tortured in confinement in the Muslim Hostel of Rangpur College.

Investigation agency quizzed Azhar at `Safe Home` on February 11 this year.

Azhar was allegedly involved in the crimes against humanity including murder, rape, torture and confinement.

Earlier on August 22 in 2012, he was arrested from his Moghbazar residence in the noon on charge of crimes against humanity during liberation war in 1971.

Earlier in the morning, ICT-1 issued arrest warrant against ATM Azharul Islam for crimes against humanity during liberation war in 1971.

BDST: 1418 HRS, NOV 12, 2013
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