Dhaka tribunal issues arrest warrants for 16 war crimes suspects

A special tribunal here issued arrest warrants against 16 war crimes suspects of Cox's Bazar for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971 today.

On Wednesday, a tribunal sentenced Mahidur Rahman and Afsar Hossain to life until death for their involvement in the killing 24 people in the Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabgang District during the Liberation War in 1971.

They had earlier been jailed for five years as the two, accompanied by armed Razakars, launched a systematic attack on Kabirajtola and Eradot Biswasertola on October 13, 1971 and looted and burned down houses of the villages.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by its Chairman Obaidul Hassan found both Mahidur and Afsar guilty in two of three charges levelled against them and delivered the verdict, reports the Daily Star.

According to the prosecution, Mahidur, 84, son of late Subedar Ali Biswas of Dadanchak in Shibganj, was involved in the politics of Muslim League prior to 1971 and joined the Peace Committee and Razakar force during the war.

Afsar, 65, son of late Kutub Uddin Morol of Satrosia of Shibganj, had also been an active worker of Muslim League and joined the Peace Committee and Razakar force.

Associated with other Razakars, they had jointly committed atrocities around the localities, the prosecution alleged.