The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Thursday set May 31 to pass order whether to take cognizance of the charges of crimes against humanity against 13 alleged Razakars from Bagerhat.
“We had submitted the formal charge yesterday and Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta on Thursday took part in the hearing, pleading to take cognizance of the charges.
Justice Anwarul Haque, chairman of the two-member panel of the ICT-1, then set May 31 to pass order in the matter,” prosecutor Sabina Yesmin Khan Munni told BSS.
The 13 accused are Khan Ashraf Ali, 65, Khan Akram Hossain, 60, Sultan Ali Khan, 68, Rustam Ali Mollah, 70, Idris Ali Mollah, 64, Moksed Ali Didar, 83, Sheikh Ukil Ali, 62, Sheikh Idris Ali, 61, Sheikh Rafikul Islam alias Babul, 64, Moniruzzaman Hawlader, 69, Hashem Ali Sheikh, 79, Azhar Ali Shikder, 64, and Mokbul Mollah, 79.
Of the 13, only Akram, Ukil, Idris and Mokbul are now in jail. Another accused Abdul Ali Mollah, 65, died recently and the prosecution left his name out of the formal charge.
Earlier on January 22, the investigation agency of the tribunal finalized its probe report in the case and submitted the 1,309-page report to the prosecution.
“We have pressed seven charges including genocide, murder and rape against them. All the accused were supporters of Muslim League and subsequently joined local Razakar Bahini. Apart from Azhar, all other accused were also involved with the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami,” prosecutor Munni added.
The ICT probe body had launched their investigation against the accused on June 4, 2015, and concluded on January 22, 2016. It has recorded testimonies of 57 people during the investigation.
According to the investigation agency, the accused carried out monstrous crimes in Kochua and Morelganj area in Bagerhat in 1971. The ICT-1 on July 16, 2015, issued warrant to arrest the accused.
