Patuakhali war criminal gets death sentence

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 sentenced Forkan Mallik of Patuakhali to death on Thursday for perpetrating crimes against humanity, including rape and genocide, during the Liberation War in 1971, reports UNB.
Justice Obaidul Hassan, chairman of the three-member tribunal, flanked by two other members - Justice M Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice M Shahinur Islam - pronounced the verdict at 10:50 am in a crowded courtroom.
The judgment was read out by the tribunal judges in phases for 10 minutes beginning at 10:40 am. Forkan, a Razakar, who faced five counts of charges, was awarded the capital punishment on two charges - mass rape and mass killing, while he was given jail unto death on one charge.
The tribunal, however, acquitted him of two charges, as the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The state side has been satisfied with the judgment, as it has been able to prove three charges out of the five, said prosecutor Mokhlesur Rahman Badal.
After formally closing law-point arguments from both sides, the tribunal on June 14 kept its judgment pending to be delivered any day. On July 14, the tribunal fixed Thursday for delivering its judgment.