With the International Crimes Tribunal set to deliver its verdict in the war crimes case against Salauddin Quader Chowdhury on Tuesday, the Dhaka Tribune ran a quick background check on the senior opposition leader.
Son of Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, an alleged war criminal from 1971, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury hailed from Gohira village in Raozanupazila, Chittagong.
The controversial politician is a member of the BNP Standing Committee and an incumbent Member of Parliament (MP). He’s served as the parliamentary affairs adviser to Khaleda Zia during her second term as prime minister between 2001 and 2006.
Salauddin served as a lawmaker for six consecutive terms: in 1979 (Muslim League), 1986 (Jatiya Party), 1991 (National Democratic Party), 1996, 2001 and 2008 (BNP). He contested from his Chittagong-2 constituency in the 1996, 2001 and 2008 general elections and was re-elected every time.
In 1971, he allegedly led an extensive campaign against the liberation efforts of Bangladesh, cooperating with the Pakistan army. On January 8, 1972, The Dainik Bangla published a report shining a light on some of his activities during the war.
The report said Salauddin and his father Fazlul Quader Chowdhury snatched young men and brutally tortured them at their Good’s Hill bungalow in Chittagong.
The BNP leader was arrested in December 16, 2010, and on December 19 he was accused of crimes committed during the 1971 war. On April 4, 2012, he was indicted on 23 charges including genocide, murder, looting and sexual assault.
On August 14, the tribunal led by Justice ATM Fazle Kabir concluded the trial proceedings.
