War crimes charges against ex-JP leader Jabbar

The prosecution has pressed charges for war crimes including genocide against former Jatiya Party MP Abdul Jabbar.

The formal charges were submitted to the tribunal’s registrar AKM Nasiruddin Mahmud on Sunday.

Jabbar has been charged with five types of crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

According to the tribunal’s investigation arm, the 80-year-old former Pirojpur Mathbarhia MP is living in the US.

Investigations into his alleged crimes started on May 19 last year.

Investigation officer Helal Uddin submitted the probe report on Apr 29.

Apart from genocide, Jabbar has been accused of killing 36 people, forced conversion of 200 others, arson and loot of 557 houses.

Jabbar, son-in-law of a local Muslim League leader, was the founder of ‘Peace Committee’ in Pirojpur’s Mathbarhia, the report said.

Investigation Officer Helal said 46 persons have been made witnesses in the case.

Abdul Jabbar (File Photo)

Five charges

* Killing two freedom fighters at Mathbarhia’s Phuljhuri during the Liberation War. Torching and ransacking of over 100 houses at Nathparha and Kuluparha.

* Killing a man at Phuljhuri, setting fire to 360 houses before looting them.

* Killing 11 people at Pirojpur’s Noli village, looting and setting fire to 60 houses there.

* Forced conversion of 200 Hindus at Phuljhuri.

* Detaining 37 people from Angulkata and Mathbarhia, killing 22 of them and seriously injuring others.