War crimes accused Akram arrested

Law enforcers on Thursday arrested Khan Akram Hossain, accused of committing crimes against humanity during the country’s independence struggles over 43 years ago. Akram, 67, alleged Razakar commander from Doiboggohati village under Morelganj police station in Bagerhat district, was arrested in Rajshahi last night, prosecution sources said. Akram was on run since the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 issued warrant to arrest him on June 10. ‘Akram was the commander of Doiboggohati Razakar camp and we have found enough evidence against him that indicates his direct involvement in at least two incidents of crimes against humanity in Bagerhat,’ Prosecutor Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon said. According to the prosecution, Akram was directly involved in the Shakharikathi genocide in 1971, in which 42 people were killed and some were forced to convert. Meanwhile, earlier on June 11, the police arrested Abdul Latif Talukder, Akram’s alleged accomplice in crime, and the next day he was produced before the court. Latif is now in jail custody, according to BSS.