Investigators of the International Crimes Tribunal have found evidence against eight suspected war criminals of Jamalpur, six of who are now absconding, for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War in 1971.
“The accused were involved in 10 counts of crimes including killing, torture and abduction in Jamalpur during the war,” Abdul Hannan Khan, coordinator of the agency, told reporters at its Dhanmondi office yesterday.
They submitted the probe report to the prosecution after the press conference.
The tribunal issued arrest warrant against the accused on March 2. Within hours, the law enforcers arrested two of them – advocate Shamsul Haque, 75, and AKM Yusuf Ali, 83.
The duo contested the 1970’s national election from Jamaat-e-Islami for the posts of member of the Provincial Assembly and the National Assembly. They were involved with local razakar force.
The other accused are Ashraf Hossain, 64, Prof Sharif Ahammed, 71, Abdul Mannan, 66, Abdul Bari, 62, Harun, 58, and Abul Hashem, 65. They all were involved with Islami Chhatra Sangha, formerly the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, and al-Badr – an auxiliary force of the Pakistani occupation army.
According to the investigators, the accused committed crimes against humanity between April 22 to December 11 in now-defunct Jamalpur Mahakuma (sub-division). They worked in the formation of local razakar group, al-Badr and Peace Committee units.
The eight are also accused of setting up an office of the Peace Committee and al-Badr by occupying Sadhana Aushadhalaya; providing military training to their men at Singhajani High School; and the abduction, torture and killing of over 10,000 people by confining them at PTI Hostel and a dormitory of Ashek Mahmud Degree College.
As many as 40 people have been made prosecution witness in the case. Investigating Officer Motiur Rahman began the probe on June 6, 2013.
Of the accused, Shamsul was the ameer of Jamalpur district unit Jamaat while Yusuf Ali was the headmaster of Singhajani High School. On the other hand, Ashraf Hossain was the commander of al-Badr’s Jamalpur unit. He formed the al-Badr with some selected members of Islami Chhatra Sangha. Ashraf fled the country soon after the investigation had begun.
Fugitive Sharif served as the director of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd for many years.
“We have information that three of the accused fled the country. We are in touch with the law enforcement agencies to arrest the fugitives,” Hannan Khan said.