War crimes: Ex-army official arrested

Police today arrested a former army official who worked for the Pakistan army and committed war crimes during 1971, hours after a special court issued arrest order for him.
Muhamed Shahidullah, an alleged commander of a Pakistani army camp in Comilla, was arrested from his house at Daudkandi upazila in the district around 12:00 noon, Md Shah Abid Hossain, superintendent of police in the district, told The Daily Star.
He will be produced before the tribunal tomorrow, he added.
This is the first time a former army man has been arrested in connection with the war crimes charges, Abul Kalam, the conducting prosecutor of the case, told this correspondent.
Earlier of the day, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Anwarul Haque issued arrest warrant against Shahidullah following a petition moved by Abul Kalam.
In his petition, Kalam said investigation against Shahidullah began on October 11 last year and probe found "evidence over his involvement" in crimes including murders committed in 1971.
Shahidulla is an influential person in his locality and "intimidated" the potential prosecution witnesses of the case, Kalam told the tribunal adding that he may go into hiding if he was not arrested.
So, he should be arrested and kept in jail for the sake of proper investigation, he said and the tribunal allowed his prayer.
Later, Kalam told this newspaper that although Shahidullah was a Bangalee, he worked for Pakistani army during the Liberation War.
Shahidullah was the commander of an army camp set up at Daudkandi High School and "committed" crimes from the camp, said Kalam.

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