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DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday (Nov 28) accepted charges against four war crimes suspects of Netrokona for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Shahinur Islam also fixed Dec 20 for indictment hearing after taking cognizance of the charges against them.
Lawyer Masuda Rana moved for the accused and Rezia Sultana Chaman moved for the state in court.
Rezia Sultana said after accepting the charges the court also ordered to publish a report on the newspapers against one of the accused who is currently absconding.
Earlier on May 3, the prosecution submitted the charge-sheet against the four war criminals to a three-member bench led by ICT chairman Anwarul Huq.
On Jan 30, ICT probe agency released the probe report against them at a press conference in city’s Dhanmondi office.
The accused are Md Khalilur Rahman, 72, son of one (late) Nabi Hossain of Noagaon union under Durgapur police station of Netrokona, his brother Md Azizur Rahman, 65, Ashok Ali, 82, son of one (late) Torab Ali of Alampur union and Md Shahnewaz, 88, son of one (late) Kadar Ali of Janirgaon union.
Initially there were five accused in the case. However, on Sep 30, an accused, Ramjan Ali, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Of the rest four accused, three are in jail and Khalilur Rahman is currently absconding.
ICT probe agency started their war crimes investigation against them on April 30 in 2015 and completed on Jan 30 in 2017. A total of 82 people are ready to testify against the accused men.
They have been accused of conducting detention, torture, extortion, looting, abduction, rape, arson attack, murder and genocide in Durgapur and Kalmakanda thana area during the liberation war of 1971.
Probe officer Md Badrul Alam brought charges of killing 22 people, raping one woman, another rape attempt, torturing two of the four abductees, looting 14-15 houses and torching 7 houses.
BDST: 1500 HRS, NOV 28, 2017
AP
