Charges filed against Yousuf

The International Crimes Tribunal prosecution submitted charges of committing crimes against humanity against Jamaat-e-Islami leader AKM Yousuf seeking his arrest on Wednesday.

Charges were filed at the ICT Registrar’s Office in the morning, prosecutor Saiyedul Islam said. Regarding the arrest, the tribunal will decide on it after hearing.

Earlier on Apr 22, a probe panel of the prosecution team filed a report accusing Yousuf’s involvement in crimes against humanity during Liberation War of 1971, on 15 grounds. Those included murder, mass murder, rape, arson and loot.

Probe coordinator Hannan Khan had said they found evidence that during Liberation War, the formulator of Razar Bahini, AKM Yusuf, was involved in killing almost 700 people.

There were also evidence against Yousuf of looting and torching 300 houses, 400 shops and converting 200 Hindus.

AKM Yousuf was a member of the so called Malek cabinet, which was formed by Pakistan during the Liberation War. He was also Jamaat’s acting chief for some time. Currently, he is a leader of the party.

Probe Officer Helal Uddin said that Yousuf was the one who coined the term ‘Razakar’ for the armed forces formed to collaborate with Pakistan during that time.

Investigation regarding the matter began on Jan 22 last year.