Verdict on Forkan Mallik tomorrow

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is set to deliver a verdict tomorrow on Forkan Mallik, who was allegedly involved in several crimes committed in Patuakhali during the Liberation War.

The alleged Razakar from Patuakhali's Mirzaganj faces five charges including murder and rape. The three-member tribunal led by Justice Obaidul Hassan concluded the proceedings of the case against Forkan on June 14.

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Wrapping up their arguments, the prosecution sought the capital punishment for Forkan, claiming that they had been able to prove all five charges brought against him. The defence on the other hand prayed for his acquittal, saying the charges could not be proved.

The tribunal-2 so far delivered 10 verdicts in as many war crimes cases, while the tribunal-1 passed nine judgments till date.

Forkan was an active supporter of the Muslim League, an anti-liberation party in 1971, joined the Razakar force, and carried out crimes under the local Razakar commander, says the prosecution.

Forkan was arrested in Barisal on June 25 last year. The tribunals' investigation agency completed the probe into the allegations against him on October 27 that same year, while the tribunal indicted him on December 18. The prosecution produced 14 witnesses including the investigation officer, while the defence produced four witnesses.

The five charges include the killing of four people including two local Awami League leaders in Mirzaganj on August 12; forceful religious conversion of three Hindu brothers in Subidkhali Bazar and their deportation; abduction, rape and subsequently death of a Hindu girl of Subidkhali Bazar on August 17 and 18; abduction and rape of two Hindu girls of Subidkhali Bazar on August 20 and 21 and deportation of their family; and abduction and rape of a Muslim woman and murder of another.