DHAKA: The government has decided in principle to create the post of senior coordinator of the investigating team of the International Crimes Tribunal, which proceeds with the trial of war-crime suspects amid some initial discord.

An additional IGP-ranked police official will be appointed to the post, said a competent source in the Law Ministry.

"The appointment of Foni Bhusan Chowdhury, additional Inspector-General of Police, to the post is almost certain. He gave his consent to the assignment," said one the sources.

They said the post is being created following a provision of the International Crimes Tribunal Act.

Foni Bhusan applied for leave after the appointment of Hasan Mahmud Khandoker as the IGP, as he was a potential candidate for the post and was brought back from UN mission.

There is provision for the post of Chief Investigator in the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973. So the government decided to create the post of senior coordinator.

The chief of the investigation agency of the war crimes tribunal recently resigned following controversies over his past political affiliation, leaving a vacuum. 

BDST: 2250 HRS, SEPT 12, 2010