Three to die for 1971 war crimes in Noakhali

The International Crimes Tribunal or ICT has sentenced three people to death and jailed a fourth for 20 years for crimes against humanity committed in Noakhali during the 1971 Liberation War.

The death-row convicts are Amir Ali, Md Joynal Abedin and Abul Kalam. Among them, Kalam is on the run.

Md Abdul Quddus has received the jail term.

The convicts carried out murders, genocide, arsons and loots in Sudharam on the west bank of the Noakhali canal during the war, according to the verdict.

Investigation Officer Helal Uddin and 14 others testified against them. The defendants’ lawyer could not produce any witness.

On Feb 6, the tribunal heard arguments of both sides in the case.

Justice Shahinur Islam led the tribunal bench which announced the verdict on Tuesday.

The bench said all the charges brought by the prosecution were found to be true.

The tribunal asked the home minister and the inspector general of police to take necessary actions to arrest the fugitive.

The convicts are allowed to challenge the verdict in the Appellate Division within a month. The fugitive needs to surrender first in order to use the option.

The case initially named five people. Among them, Md Yunus Ali died. The charges were framed in 2016.

So far, the ICT has announced verdicts in 31 cases against 71 people; 68 people have been convicted while 41 received capital punishment. Three suspects died during trials.