A tribunal in Dhaka today decided to hold the trial of war crimes suspect Abdul Jabbar in absentia for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of 1971.
After passing the order, the three-member panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1 headed by its chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim fixed July 20 for charge framing hearing in the case, reports the Daily Star.
The tribunal issued an arrest warrant against the former Jatiya Party lawmaker on May 12 after accepting five war crimes charges against him.
Jabbar, now 82, was the alleged chairman of Mathbaria Peace Committee, an anti-liberation force, during the Liberation War in 1971.
As Jabbar was not arrested by this time, the court has decided to begin the trial proceedings of the case in his absence.
