War crimes tribunal starts reading out 768-page verdict for ex-MP Shakhawat, seven others

The International Crimes Tribunal has started reading out the 768-page war crimes verdict of former MP Shakhawat Hossain and seven others.

The men stand accused of five charges of atrocities committed at Jessore’s Keshabpur Upazila.

Sakhawat, secretary of religious affairs for the Jatiya Party, and Md Billal Hossain Biswas are in custody but six others are absconding.

They are Md Ibrahim Hossain, Sheikh Md Mojibur Rahman, MA Aziz Sardar, Abdul Aziz Sardar, Kazi Ohidul Islam and Md Abdul Khalek.

Another accused, Md Lutfur Moral, died in prison after falling ill.

The proceedings began at 10:50am on Wednesday at the three-strong tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque.

Justice Shahinur Islam started reading out the summary of the 768-page verdict after Justice Haque’s introductory remarks, who will later pronounce the punishments.

Earlier in the morning, the two  accused in custody — Shakhawat and Billal— were brought to the tribunal from Gazipur’s Kashimpur jail.

The prison van carrying them reached the tribunal premises around 10:30am, when they were taken to the courtroom.

The five charges:
  
*Abduction, detainment, torture and rape of a woman from Boga village at Jessore's Keshabpur Upazila.

*Abduction, detainment, torture and murder of Chandtulla Gazi and his son from Chingra village of Keshabpur. 

*Abduction, detainment and torture of Md Nuruddin Moral of Chingra village.

*Abduction, detainment and torture of A Malek of Keshabpur’s Hizaldanga. 

*Abduction, detainment, and torture of Miran Sheikh of Keshabpur’s Mahadebpur and looting and torching of the village.
 

The trial began on Dec 23 last year.

The prosecution’s probe agency began investigating 12 persons including Sakhawat on Feb 4, 2012. They submitted their report to the tribunal on Jun 18 last year. 

The indictment hearing was held on Jun 26. Three were let off after the tribunal found ‘no basis to the allegations’ against them.  
 
The nine were officially charged on Sep 8.