Hasan's war crime trial at final stage

The war crimes trial of alleged Kishoreganj Razakar commander Syed Hasan Ali has reached the final stages, with the completion of the last prosecution witness's cross-examination yesterday. 
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 fixed April 15 for hearing closing arguments, the last phase before pronouncement of the verdict.
Abdus Shukur Khan, state-appointed defence counsel for the fugitive, cross-examined Hari Debnath, also investigation officer of the case, over the latter's testimony given on Sunday.
Shukur tried to point out discrepancies in prosecution documents, saying Hasan's name was on the list of Kishoreganj district Razakars but not on the one of Tarail Thana Razakars. Originally from Brahmanbaria, Hasan had been living in Tarail with his family for many years, including the period of the Liberation War. Though politically inactive now, he was once involved with Nezam-e-Islami, another anti-liberation organisation.
According to the prosecution, Hasan was commander of Tarail thana Razakar and set up a camp of the force of collaborators at Tarail Police Station on April 23, 1971.
Twenty-six prosecution witnesses testified against the 65-year-old. He is facing six charges of crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Kishoreganj in 1971.

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