War crimes charges pressed against Rajshahi Jamaat man

The prosecution has pressed four charges against a Jamaat-e-Islami activist of Rajshahifor his alleged involvement in crimes committed during the Liberation War in 1971.

After receiving the documents, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 today fixed May 20 to decide whether it would take the charges into cognisance, Prosecutor Zahid Imam said.

Accused Abdus Samad Musa, 61, a Jamaat-e-Islami activist and a resident of Puthia, was arrested on January 24 last year.

Tribunal's investigation agency on January 14 completed investigation in the case and said to have found evidence against him over war-time crimes.

Musa was “involved” in killings of 15 people, abduction and torture of 21 people and looting and arson in Puthia and Durgapur upazilas of the district, agency said at a press conference on January 14.

Later, Faruk Hossain, investigation officer of the case, handed over the probe report, statement of the potential prosecution witnesses and other documents to the Chief Prosecutor Office.

Zahid Imam, conducting prosecutor of the case, yesterday submitted charges and other documents through tribunal's registrar office.