War crimes: Probe report on Shakhawat, 11 others submitted

The probe report on ex-BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shakhawat Hossain and 11 others’ alleged war crimes was handed to the prosecution today.

Investigation officer Abdur Razzak Khan submitted the 42-page report at the chief prosecutor’s office around 11:30am, prosecutor Zead Al Malum told The Daily Star.

If the probe is found to be satisfactory, the prosecution will move to submit formal charges, he said.

Earlier on June 14, investigators completed their probe and found “evidence” of crimes committed against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971 against the accused.

They were said to be involved in killing two persons, raping one and torturing two others in Keshabpur of Jessore. All the incidents took place in Bangla month of Ashwin (between mid-September and mid-October) in 1971.

Shakhawat, 61, now involved in Jatiya Party politics, was allegedly a central committee member of Islami Chhatra Sangha, student body of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1971.

According to the investigation agency, Shakhawat was the commander of Pakistani army's auxiliary Razakar force at Chingri Bazar camp.

Law enforcers arrested Shakhawat at his Uttar Khan's house on November 29 last year. Three of the 11 other war crimes suspects were also arrested on May 12, while the rest are at large.

The three arrestees are Billal Hossain Biswas, 75, of Nehalpur village, Akram Hossain, 59, of Bhalukghar Mollapara and Ajihar Morol, 64, of Chingra village.

War crimes suspects Ibrahim Hossain of Nehalpur, Sheikh Md Mujibur Rahman and Kazi Ohidul Islam of Shekhpura, Aziz Sardar of Mominpur, Aziz Sardar of Boga, Lutfar Morol of Porchakra, Abdul Khaleq Morol of Altapol and Moshiar Rahman of Chingra could not be arrested.

Probe in the case started on April 1, 2012.