DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 fixed October 12 to take into cognizance the formal charges brought against five ‘razakars’ of Kirshoreganj for their alleged crimes against humanity in 1971.

The three-member tribunal led by chairman Justice Mohammad Anwar ul Haque passed the order on Sunday after the hearing.

The accused are Nasir Uddin Ahmed, 62, a former army officer, his brother Advocate Shamsuddin Ahmed, 60 and Razakar commanders Gazi Abdul Mannan, Hafiz Uddin and Azharul Islam.

Among them, Shamsuddin was arrested and produced before the tribunal. However, the others are still fugitive.

Abdus Shukkur has been appointed by the state to move for the plaintiff. He is also the lawyer of the fugitives.

Seven war crimes charges including abduction, murder, genocide, looting and torture have been pressed against the five accused.

According to formal charges, the accused committed the crimes against humanity during the country’s war of independence in 1971 in Sidyanagar, Aila, Fatehpur Beel, Piraton Beel and the adjacent areas under Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj district.

Some 40 witnesses are expected to give depositions against the accused, according to formal charge-sheet.

BDST: 1824 HRS, OCT 04, 2015
BD/RR/SMS