Habiganj war crimes: Mohib to die, others jailed until death

The three-judge International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday unanimously handed death sentence to Mohibur Rahman alias Bara Miah, 65, and jail term until death his sibling Mozibur Rahman alias Ranga Miah, 60, and cousin Abdur Razzak, 63, finding them guilty of committing crimes against humanity in Habiganj during the Liberation War.
Presiding judge, Justice Anwarul Haque, pronounced the verdict in a crowded courtroom in the Old High Court Building in the capital amid high security.
Justice Md Shahinur Islam and Justice Md Shohrowardi, the other judges read out parts of the summary of the 240-page verdict.
The tribunal left the option open to the government to execute Mohib’s death sentence using a firing squad or hanging him.
The three war crimes convicts looked pensive as they heard the verdict seated on chairs on the dock.
Mohib and Mozib are from Komar Chhana, Baniachong, Habiganj and Razzak from Hossainpur, Baniachong.
The convicts’ family members were present in the courtroom to hear the verdict.
The three were found guilty of all the four charges for which they were indicted on September 29, 2015.
The verdict was delivered 20 days after their trial was completed on May 11.
Mohib was sentenced to death for gunning down two freedom fighters in the village Khagaura under Baniachang in the then Habiganj sub-division on November 11, 1971.
Mozib and Razzak were handed jail terms until death on the same charge.
Each of the three was sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous for destructions, looting and setting ablaze the village homes of Major General MA Rab and his neighbours in Khagaura on October 26, 1971.
Each of them was also sentenced to another 20 years’ rigorous jail terms for raping two women on October 26, 1971.
Each of them was also sentenced to seven years’ rigorous jail terms for abduction, confinement and torturing Anfor Ali of Khagaura in mid Bhadra month during the War of Independence.
The verdict says that their jail terms would run concurrently.
Mohib’s jail terms would get merged with his death sentence on its execution.
In 1971, all the three were followers of anti liberation Nezam-e-Islami Party, said the prosecution.
During the Liberation War, they joined the Razakar force, it said.
Defence lawyer Masud Rana said his clients would appeal against the verdict.
This was the 24th verdict in as many war crimes cases since March 2010.
It was the 13th verdict delivered by the ICT-1.
During the trial stage, 12 prosecution witnesses gave evidence against the accused and seven defence witnesses testified for them.
Until now, 23 war offenders were sentenced to death and 11 others to different jail terms.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net