5 Netrakona men to die for war crimes

The International Crimes Tribunal -1 on Thursday gave death penalty to five Netrokona men, for their alleged involvement in war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

The convicts are: Abdul Mazid, 66; Abdul Khalek, 67; Kabir Khan, 70; Abdus Salam, 68; and Nur Uddin, 70. All of them are residents of Purbadhala upazila and are absconding.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam, gave the verdict.

On Wednesday, the same tribunal had fixed the date for pronouncing the verdict.

Case arguments concluded on January 28.

The tribunal kept the verdict waiting, after the counsels of both sides wrapped up their closing arguments.

Prosecution pressed charges against seven men for their alleged involvement in killing eight people after abduction, torching eight houses, looting valuables of three houses and violating a woman during the 1971 war.

The tribunal ordered arrest of the accused on August 12, 2015. Police arrested Abdur Rahman following the tribunal order. He died during the trial proceedings in 2016. Ahmed Ali, another accused, died in October 2015.

Abdul Quadir, a freedom fighter of Purbadhala upazila and brother of one of the victims, filed the case in 2013.