ICT-1 orders charging of 5 Patuakhali men

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday directed the prosecution to submit formal charges, if any, on January 21, against five Patuakhali men who were allegedly involved in crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

The two-member tribunal led by Justice Shahinur Islam fixed the date after Prosecutor Rezia Sultana Chaman sought two more months to complete a probe against the five.

Earlier, she submitted a progress report on the investigation.

The accused are: Esahaq Shikder, Abdul Goni Hawlader and Md Awal alias Awal Moulavi of Galachipa, Abdus Sattar Pyada and Solaiman Mridha of Patuakhali Sadar upazila.

According to the tribunal's investigation agency, Esahaq was a member of local Peace Committee, an anti-liberation organisation, while the rest were members of local Razakar Bahini, an auxiliary force of the Pakistani army, during the Liberation War.