Tight security ahead of verdict

Authorities have heightened security measures across the capital after a tribunal said it will deliver a verdict on war crimes charges against former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam on Monday.

Jamaat, itself accused of war crimes charges during the Liberation War, has called a nationwide daylong strike for Monday hours after the International Crimes Tribunal-1 announcement.

A group of suspected Jamaat activists attacked police in the capital Dhaka, smashed and torched several vehicles.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said adequate security measures were in place to avert any unpleasant incident.

He said close-circuit cameras would be set up at important points.

“We will work with enough capacity to tackle any type of anarchy,” he said.

Bangladesh has witnessed Jamaat-unleashed violence in the past after its leaders had been convicted of war crimes.

At least 67 people were killed during a week-long violence after Delwar Hossain Sayedee was sentenced to death on Feb 28 on similar charges.