A special tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced three Razakars from Moulvibazar to death for committing genocide and crimes against humanity during the Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971.

The death row convicts are Abdul Aziz alias Habul, 68, of Pakhiala village at Baralekha upazila in Moulvibazar, Abdul Mannan, 69, of Taradaram village in the upazila, and Abdul Matin of the same upazila.

Of them, Abdul Aziz alias Habul and Abdul Mannan were present in the court while Abdul Matin is on the run.

The three-member- tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur announced the verdict on Thursday (May 19).

The investigation into the crimes against humanity during the Liberation War started on October 16 in 2014 and ended on November 14 in 2016. The three accused were charged with five specific crimes against humanity such as murder, genocide, rape and torture in Baralekha area in Moulvibazar.

The investigation agency found involvement of the three Razakars in the crime.

On February 29 in 2016, the tribunal issued arrest warrant against the three people. Baralekha police arrested two of the war crimes accused On March 1.

In 1971, two brothers Abdul Aziz and Abdul Matin were members of Chhatra League. When the war of liberation started, they went to India for training. But they escaped during the training and joined the Razakar force after surrendering to the Pakistan army. Another accused Abdul Mannan was a leader of the local Muslim League in 1971.

Before his arrest in 2016, Abdul Aziz was involved in politics as a member of the BNP.

BDST: 1227 HRS, MAY 19, 2022
MN/SMS