Rajshahi war criminal Abdus Sattar awarded death penalty

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 awarded death sentence to Abdus Sattar alias Tipu Sultan of Rajshahi in a case filed for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam pronounced the verdict at 11:50 am on Wednesday.

The tribunal yesterday fixed the date for pronouncing the verdict today.

Abdus Sattar was awarded death sentence as the charges of war crimes brought against him were proved.

Prosecutor Muklesur Rahman Badal was present at the tribunal while lawyer Gazi MH Tamim stood for the accused.

The tribunal kept the verdict waiting on October 17 after both the prosecution and defence counsel completed their closing arguments in the case.

A probe report was finalised against the accused on March 17 last year and later, charges were formally submitted against him.

The tribunal framed two charges against him on August 8 last year.

According to the charges, the accused were involved in the killing of at least 10 people, torturing of two people, looting and arson attacks on 12 to 13 houses in areas under Boalia Police Station of Rajshahi.

Abdus Sattar was arrested in May, 1972 under the Collaborators Order, 1972 but got release in August 1974. The accused retired in 2011 as an assistant professor from Gopalpur Degree College in Lalpur in Natore.

Dhaka/Mahadi/AI