Verdict on al-Badr leader Riaz's war crimes any day

The International Crimes Tribunal has kept the verdict against al-Badr leader Riaz Uddin Fakir in a war crimes case in curia advisari vult or CUV (in waiting). A three-member tribunal under Justice Md Shahinur Islam gave the order on Wednesday. Prosecutor Rishikesh Saha represented the state in the court, while advocate Syed Mizanur Rahman acted as the defence lawyer. During the Liberation War in 1971, Riaz was the commander of paramilitary force Al-Badr in Fulbaria upazila, Mymensingh. Al-Badr is one of the pro-Pakistan forces that were active during the war and committed crimes against humanity. The other two accused in the case, another al-Badr leader Amzad Ali and razakar Waiz Uddin, were acquitted of all charges. Both have died – the former in custody and the latter while on the run. Five humanitarian cases were lodged against Riaz for committing murder, genocide, detention, torture and rape in Fulbaria upazila during the Liberation War. Previously on December 11, 2016, the tribunal made the charge-sheet of the case. On February 18, 2016, an investigation agency handed over their final report against the three accused to the prosecution. Based on the report, the prosecution submitted a formal complaint to the tribunal on September 21, 2016. Later, a hearing was conducted with Prosecutors Rezia Sultana Chaman and Rishikesh Saha as state prosecutors and Muzahidul Islam and Gazi MAH Tamim as defence lawyers. The investigating officer of the case, Md Ataur Rahman, completed the investigation in one year, four months and seven days, starting from October 12, 2014.This article was first published on banglatribune.com