DHAKA: No war-crime suspects would be allowed to perform Hajj this year, Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun said Tuesday following a government decision, as the trial of war criminals is now underway in the country.

“The persons allegedly involved in crimes against humanity during Liberation War in 1971 will be barred from going for the annual pilgrimage,” she said to journalists after a meeting on the matter at the secretariat.

Rohingyas, who cross the border into Bangladesh from Myanmar, will also not be permitted to go to Hajj, the home minister added.

“Legal action will be taken against Hajj agencies if they allow war-crime suspects or illegal foreign citizens (to go to hajj)”, Sahara warned.

She also informed the journalists that all the agencies would have to submit their lists of pilgrims to the Special Branch (SB) of police by the end of August, in order to screen out the discards.

After SB investigation the final list will be prepared, the home minister said about the strict measures decided at the meeting.

Sources said some 94,000 applications received from intending pilgrims this year are now being scrutinized.

BDST: 1443 HRS, AUG 24, 2010