Bangladeshi court sentences 2 people to death

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - A Bangladeshi court on Wednesday sentenced two elderly men to death over alleged crimes during the country's liberation war in 1971.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a local court formed for cases related to the war that marked the country's independence from Pakistan, announced the verdict.

Sohrab Fakir, 88, and Hedayet Ullah, 80, were convicted of murder, mass killing, torture, abduction and arson.

Fakir was present at the hearing, while Ullah is still at large.

This is not the first time the ICT, a controversial tribunal, convicted elderly people. The tribunal is accused of being used against political opponents under the pretext of punishing the war criminals.

Following the formation of the court, international human rights group, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, voiced their deep concern over the “unfair trial” process.