Submit probe report on May 5: Tribunal

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday directed the prosecution to submit an investigation report, if any, on May 5 against eight Mymensingh and Jamalpur men, who were allegedly involved in crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

The accused are Rezaul Hauqe alias Akkas Moulvi and Badaruzzaman alias Chand Kazi of Muktagachha upazila in Mymensingh and Yunus Ali, his brother AKM Yusuf Alam, Omar Faruk, Nasiruddin alias Kalu, Belayet Hossain and Ismali Hossain of Jamalpur's Harinakundu upazila.

Rezaul, Yunus, Yusuf and Faruk are in jail while the rest are on the run.

Prosecutor Abul Kalam sought one month's time to submit the report and a two-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque set the date. Justice Md Shahinur Islam was on leave.

According to the prosecution, the eight were "involved" with Razakar and Al-Badr Bahinies, auxiliary forces of the Pakistan occupation army, and the investigation officer of the case said to have already found their "involvement" in crimes including genocide and murders committed in 1971.

Meanwhile, the tribunal recorded the testimonies and cross-examination of two defence witnesses in the case against three Habiganj men allegedly involved in 1971's crimes.

The court adjourned proceedings until April 7 after the prosecution completed cross-examination of Khorshed Ali and Harun Miah.

The accused Muhibur Rahman Boromia and his brother Mujibur Rahman Angur Mia and Abdur Razzak are facing four charges. They, however, pleaded not guilty.