[Dhaka Tribune] The International Crimes Tribunal yesterday indicted Syed Mohammad Qaisar, a former state minister for agriculture during HM Ershad's tenure, on 16 charges of crimes against that include genocide, torture, murder and rape during the 1971 Liberation War.The charges are based on 16 separate incidents of crimes against humanity, in which more than 150 unarmed people were killed and two women raped. After framing of the charges against Qaisar, the tribunal set March 4 for beginning the trial with the opening statement of the prosecution.
In its order, the tribunal directed the defence side to submit a list of witnesses along with the documents it intended to rely upon on or before the date.
Qaisar, now 73, formed a group named "Qaisar Bahini" with 500 to 700 men, who committed crimes against humanity in Habiganj and Brahmanbaria during the War of Independence, according to prosecution.