DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Thursday set December 11 for framing charge hearing against alleged war criminals Obaidul Haque alias Abu Taher and Ataur Rahman Noni, Razakar leaders of Netrokona. 

Justice M Enayetur Rahim, chairman of the three-member panel of ICT-1, made the decision after taking the charges against them into cognizance.

Earlier in the day, prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman Badal submitted the formal charges against them to the tribunal.

Defense lawyers Advocate Tajul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim were also present in the tribunal.

The investigation agency of ICT found evidence of their involvement in the killing, genocide, arson and looting in different places of Netrokona during the War of Liberation.

The investigation officer Mohammad Shahjahan Kabir made the final report and submitted to prosecution on November 9. He started the investigation from June 6, of this year.

Earlier on August 12, the duo was arrested from Netrokona within hours after the first tribunal issued warrants for their arrest following a prosecution plea.

They were accused of a case filed for killing freedom fighter Badiuzzaman Mukta of Netrakona during the 1971 Liberation War.

Nephew of the martyred freedom fighter, Ali Reza Kanchan filed a case in 2010 with the judicial magistrate court of Netrokona accusing 12 anti-liberation force members including the duo. The magistrate then forwarded the case to the International Crimes Tribunals.

However, 32 prosecution witnesses are likely to give their testimony to the tribunal against them.

BDST: 1612 HRS, DEC 04, 2014