Under-trial war crimes suspect dies

An under-trial war crime suspect died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Monday night.

The deceased was identified as Shah Newaz, 95, a resident of Durgapur in Netrokona.

Enamul, a jail guard of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj, said Shah Newaz was arrested for his crimes against humanity during the liberation war and the tribunal sent him to jail.

As he fell sick on Monday the jail authority sent Shah Newaz to DMCH where the duty doctors announced his death at 8:50pm after conducting some tests.

DMCH police outpost in charge Inspector Bacchu Mia said the body was sent for an autopsy. According to the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal, which was set up to try the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during 1971, Shah Newaz along with four others had allegedly killed 22 people, raped a woman and destroyed 15 houses in Kamlakanda and Durgapur of Netrakona in 1971. With one of them deceased, four of them were later arrested in 2017. The tribunal is yet to pass a verdict in the case.