DHAKA: International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 started recording deposition of prosecution witnesses against former Jatiya Party lawmaker Abdul Jabbar over his involvement in crimes against humanity in Liberation War.

Prosecutor Jahid Imam placed opening statement to tribunal Registrar at 11:15am. Later, the first witness Soyebur Rahman Guldar, hailed from Tushkhali village under Mathbaria Upazila of Pirojpur district submitted deposition on the charge of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Lawyer Mohammad Abul Hasan on behalf of Jabbar crossed examined the witness Soyebur Raman.

The three-panel tribunal led by Justice M Inayetur Rahim adjourned the deposition till Monday.

On August 14, State prosecution submitted formal charge against Abdul Jabbar for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during War of Liberation.

The five charges include murder, genocide, loot and arson, forced conversion of religion have been brought against him.

On April 29, the Investigation Agency submitted the final report to the prosecution of International Crimes Tribunal.

46 people were made witnesses against the 82-year-old Jatiya Party leader.

The investigators have completed their nearly one-year-long investigation on the role of Jabbar during the country’s war of independence.

According to the investigation, Jabbar and his men killed as many as 11 Hindus and injured many others at village Nandigram on May 22, 1971. He forcefully converted 200 Hindus to Muslim in a day in the last week of May, 1971.

BDST: 1316 HRS, SEP 07, 2014