Trial of war criminals in Jan-Feb, Says law minister

Unb, Dhaka

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday (December 20) said that the trial of the detained war crimes-accused will start in January-February next year.

After a meeting with the prosecution panel and the investigation team of International Crimes Tribunal at the Law Ministry, he said charge sheets will be submitted against those already arrested before the commencement of the trial.

Five top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami - Matiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujaheed, Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman and Abdul Qader Mollah - have been detained in connection with the crimes against humanity in 1971.

BNP stalwart Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury MP, who was arrested on December 16, has also been implicated in war crimes charges.

Asked if ex-Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam featured in the discussion at the day's meeting, the Law Minister said the matter was not discussed adding that, the tribunal and investigation team will look into it.

The meeting discussed logistics support for the prosecution panel and the investigation team, he added.
Barrister Shafique expressed his satisfaction over the coordinated work of the two teams.

Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku, State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam and chiefs of the prosecution and investigation agency panels attended the meeting
View in main newspaper