Two leaders of the notorious militia 'Al Badr' were indicted in absentia by a Bangladeshi war crimes tribunal today for the alleged massacre of 19 Bengali intellectuals during the country's liberation war in 1971.
Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin and Ashrafuzzaman Khan, who are currently abroad, have been charged on 11 counts related to the massacre.
Khan is believed to be currently living in New York and Mueen-Uddin in London.
'Al Badr' was tasked by the Pakistani military junta with extermination of the Bengali intellengsia they saw as the 'brain' behind the uprising.
Up to three million people were killed in the liberation war, according to official record.
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 also set July 15 for opening statement in the case and examination of prosecution witnessess, The Daily Star newspaper reported.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan asked the state appointed defence counsels to submit a list of defence witness and other documents if they have any by the date.
