The prosecution yesterday submitted a petition to the International Crimes Tribunal 1 seeking arrest of Syed Hasan Ali, an alleged razakar commander of Tarail in Kishoreganj during the 1971 Liberation War, as the investigation against him was near end.
The petition sayied Hasan is now staying in Brahmanbaria’s border areas and he may flee the country anytime. So he needs to be arrested to ensure smooth investigation.
The investigation report may be completed within a month, officials said.
Prosecutor Abul Kalam Azad submitted the petition to the tribunal’s registrar office. A hearing on the petition may be held today at the three-member tribunal 1 led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim.
Azad said the suspect had been the razakar commander of Tarail upazila and involved in all kinds of crimes against humanity and genocide. “We got evidence of direct involvement of Hasan in the incidents.”
Mosleh Uddin, father of the suspect, was the chairman of Peace Committee’s Kishoreganj district unit. Hasan’s brother had also been a member of the razakar force and the whole family committed atrocities in 1971.
Investigator Hari Devnath began the probe against Hasan on June 6 last year under the supervision of prosecutor Azad. This will be the first case where he will work as conducting prosecutor.
Hari said: “Hasan was involved in the killings of at least 50 Hindu people, looting of houses, and arson. We have at least five witnesses for each charge against him.”
Sources said the suspect might be charged for the murders of Tofazzal Hossain Bhuiyan, Abdur Rashid
and Hasan Ahmed, and the Shimulhati killing.
The investigation agency is now dealing with at least eight cases. The probe against another war crimes suspect Lahar Ali Shah from Rajshahi is advancing fast. Investigation Officer Ataur Rahman started the probe on October 1, 2012 under the supervision of prosecutor Jahid Imam. They are also working on the allegations against suspected war criminal Abdul Jabbar from Pirojpur.
This time the junior prosecutors will conduct some of the cases and they already started to coordinate with investigation agency.
Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Begum, Sabina Yeasmin and Syed Sayedul Huq will conduct the cases against Maulana Shakhawat Hossain from Jessore, Ataur Noni from Netrokona and Sirajul Islam from Bagerhat.
Though prosecutors Sabina and Rezia assisted seniors earlier in other cases, it would be the first case for Sayedul at the tribunal.