Ex-DG of NSI indicted for crimes against humanity

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Wednesday indicted former director general of National Security Intelligence (NSI) Muhammad Wahidul Haque in a crimes against humanity law suit, reports news agency BSS.

Justice Md Shahinur Islam, chairman of the three-judge panel of the ICT-1, passed the order in presence of the accused today and set 24 November to start placing opening statement and examining prosecution witnesses in the case.

The tribunal framed a charge against Haque for committing crimes against humanity, genocide, and violating Geneva Convention in 1971.

Haque, who was present on the dock, pleaded not guilty as the tribunal read out the charge framing order.

The investigation agency of the ICT on 30 October 2018, finalised its report on probe into the alleged crimes against humanity committed by Wahidul Haque in 1971.

According to the prosecution, Wahidul Haque, who was an adjutant of 29 Cavalry Regiment, based in Rangpur Cantonment at the time, went on a killing spree on 28 March 1971, as he and his subordinates opened firing on freedom loving people of the area and killed around 600 innocents.

They also set fire to houses and burnt the bodies of those killed in their gunfire, the prosecution said.

The ICT probe body had launched their investigation against Haque on 5 December 2016, and concluded on 30 October 2018. They made 54 people witnesses in the trial.

Wahidul Haque was arrested on 24 April 2018, from his Baridhara residence in the capital right after the ICT-1 issued arrest warrant against him.