DHAKA: International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 sentenced Sheikh Sirajul Islam alias Siraj Master to death and Khan Akram Hossain to imprisonment unto death for their crimes against humanity during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Enayetur Rahim pronounced the verdict around 12:20pm.

Other two members of the tribunal were Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Anwarul Haque.

Of the seven allegations, including murder, mass killing, rape, looting and forcible religious conversion, six were brought against Siraj Master while three were against Khan Akram Hossain.

Siraj Master was sentenced to death in all five charges that were proved while Khan Akram Hossain was sentenced to imprisonment unto death in one charge that was proved. According to the verdict, the execution can be carried out by hanging or by firing squad.

Another accused, Abdul Latif Talukder, of the case passed away on July 28. Later, the tribunal dropped charges against him on August 5.

On April 6, 7 and 21 this year, five witnesses recorded their statement in favor of Akram and Siraj.

A total of 32 witnesses gave deposition against the three war crime accused from December 2, 2014 to March 24, 2015.

On September 14 of 2014, the prosecution submitted seven charges against the duo for their alleged crimes against humanity in Bagerhat during the war.

The allegations include murder, mass killing, rape, looting and forcible religious conversion.

The tribunal took the charges into cognizance on September 15. On November 5, chargesheet was framed against the accused.

Some 64 people were made witnesses against them.

Akram Hossain Khan was arrested on June 19 and Siraj Master on July 21.

Akram and Siraj conducted crimes in Shankharikathi Bazar area of Kachua upazila in Bagerhat district.

In 2009, Nimai Chandra Roy, son of martyr Jitendra Nath Das at Raghudattakathi village filed the case against 12 people.

BDST: 1357 HRS/1434 HRS, AUG 11, 2015
SR/RR/SMS

** Siraj-Akram verdict Tuesday