Trial of 4 ‘war criminals’ to begin in absentia

A war crimes tribunal today decided to hold trial of four alleged Razakars of Kishoreganj in absentia.

Three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1 led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim took the decision as the accused did not appear before court even after public announcement.

The law enforcers have failed to apprehend them as well.

The fugitives are-Gazi Abdul Mannan, 88, an alleged commander of Karimganj Razakar camp, alleged Razakar members Nasiruddin Ahmed, 62, Hafiz Uddin, 66, and Azharul Islam, 60.

The tribunal also appointed Abdus Shukur Khan as their counsel to defend them in the case and fixed July 28 for hearing on the charges brought against them.

The prosecution on May 10 pressed seven charges against five war crimes accused including the four fugitives. Of the five, only Shamsuddin Ahmed, 60, is now in jail.

The charges include mass killing, murder, confinement, torture, arson and looting committed in Karimganj upazila in between August 25 and November 13 in 1971, according to the prosecution.