Verdict on Rajshahi ‘war criminal’ any day

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 will deliver verdict any day in a case filed against a Rajshahi man for allegedly committing crimes during the Liberation War in 1971.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam today kept the verdict waiting after both the prosecution and defence counsel completed their closing arguments in the case, said Prosecutor Muklesur Rahman Badal.

Abdus Sattar alias Tipu alias Tipu Sultan, 66, now in jail, is facing two charges. He, however, pleaded not guilty before the court and sought justice.

He was a member Islami Chhatra Sangha, the then student wing of anti-liberation Jamaat-e-Islami, and a member of the Razakar Bahini during the war, according to the investigation agency.

He was arrested in   May, 1972   under   the Collaborators Order, 1972 but got release in August 1974. The accused retired in 2011 as an assistant professor from Gopalpur Degree College in Lalpur in Natore, it said.

The tribunal framed two charges against him on August 8 last year.

According to the charges, the accused were involved in the killing of at least 10 people, torturing of two people and looting and arson attacks on twelve houses in areas under Boalia Police Station of Rajshahi.

The prosecution produced 14 witnesses including the investigation officer of the case to prove their charges while defence declined to produce any witness.