The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is conducting a probe into the war crimes charges against former education minister and BNP leader Dr Osman Faruk. The probe is now at the final stage.
However, the investigation agency will soon apply to the International Criminal Tribunal for the arrest of the BNP leader for his alleged crimes against humanity during the Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971.
M Sanaul Haque, chief coordinator of investigation agency of the ICT, disclosed this at a press conference at the office of the investigation agency at Dhanmondi in the capital on Thursday (December 8).
The press conference was organized on the occasion of the publication of the 87th investigation report in the case of crimes against humanity.
In response to a question from the journalists, M Sanaul Haque said that the investigation against Dr Osman Faruk is at the final stage. “We hope we will be able to file report against him soon,” he said.
The head of the investigation agency also said that they will apply to the tribunal for his arrest as soon as the report is submitted.
Investigation Officer Matiur Rahman said that Osman Faruk is currently residing abroad.
According to the investigation agency, the primary investigation found documents of criminal activities against Dr Osman Faruk and 10 others. They committed crimes against humanity in 1971 in the area of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) in Mymensingh when they collaborated with the Pakistan army during the Bangladesh War of Liberation. They had a torture cell in the university to run activities during the war
Osman Faruk’s father Osman Gani was the founding vice chancellor of the Bangladesh Agricultural University. Osman Faruk was working at the Faculty of Agriculture Economy of the university as reader in 1971. The rest 10 accused were teachers and officials of the university.
According to media reports, the Pakistani forces entered Mymensingh on April 23 in 1971. The guesthouse of the BAU was made its regional command’s headquarter.
During the liberation war, bodies of the murdered civilians were buried on the banks of the Brahmaputra River beside the campus. After independence, the BAU authorities officially declared the site as a ‘1971 killing field’.
Hailing from Karimganj upazila in Kishoreganj, Dr Osman Faruk was the education minister during the BNP’s 2001-06 term. He is now staying in the USA.