DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday sentenced Mahidur Rahman and Afsar Hossain Chutu to jail unto death for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.

A three-member panel judge, led by ICT-2 chairman Justice Obaidul Hasan, handed down the verdict.

The tribunal found Mahidur and Afsar of Shibgabj of Chapainawabganj guilty in two out of three charges brought against them.

The charges are;

First Charge
Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by hundreds of armed Razakars and Pakistani army, attacked the villages Chandshikari, Chamatol, Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola, and abducted 39 pro-liberation people in two phases on October 6, 1971.

The accused persons tortured the detainees in confinement and shot 24 people to death.

Second Charge
Mahidur and Afsar, accompanied by armed Razakars launched a systematic attack at Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola and burnt down houses of the villages after looting on October 13, 1971.

Earlier on April 22, the tribunal kept the judgment as CAV (Curia Advisari Vult), a Latin legal term which means the court wishes to be advised.

On April 15 and 20, prosecutors placed his arguments against Mahidur-Afsar.

The tribunal indicted the duo on December 11, 2014, framing three charges of crimes against humanity.

The prosecution on November 16, 2014, submitted formal charge against Mahidur and Afsar, bringing three charges, and the tribunal on November 24 took the charges into cognizance.

A total of 10 prosecution witnesses, including the investigation officer ZM Altafur Rahman, testified against them.

BDST: 1156 HRS, MAY 20, 2015
HB/SMS

** Mahidur-Afsar taken to court