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Bangladesh 1971 independence war tribunal is adjourned | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
By Anbarasan Ethirajan BBC News, Dhaka | By Anbarasan Ethirajan BBC News, Dhaka |
A special tribunal in Bangladesh to look into atrocities carried out during the war of independence from Pakistan in 1971 has been adjourned. | |
The tribunal in Dhaka was set up by the Bangladeshi government. | The tribunal in Dhaka was set up by the Bangladeshi government. |
For the first time, charges were due to have been brought against those accused of committing mass murder and rape. | |
Most of those facing trial are from the Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami. All of them deny the allegations, accusing the government of carrying out a vendetta. | |
The tribunal in Dhaka will reconvene on 18 August following a request by defence lawyers, who wanted more time to go through the charges. | |
East Pakistan became Bangladesh 40 years ago - but only after a bloody battle for independence. | East Pakistan became Bangladesh 40 years ago - but only after a bloody battle for independence. |
Official figures estimate that more than three million people were killed and thousands of women raped when West Pakistan sent in its army to intervene. | Official figures estimate that more than three million people were killed and thousands of women raped when West Pakistan sent in its army to intervene. |
Last year, the Bangladeshi government set up the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka to try those Bangladeshis accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities. | Last year, the Bangladeshi government set up the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka to try those Bangladeshis accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities. |
So far, seven people - two from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and five from the Jamaat-e-Islami - have been arrested. Formal charges are yet to be brought against them and all of them deny the charges. | |
The two parties have denounced the tribunal as a political show trial. | The two parties have denounced the tribunal as a political show trial. |
The New York-based Human Rights Watch says the tribunal needs to change some of its procedures to ensure a fair trial which meets international standards. | The New York-based Human Rights Watch says the tribunal needs to change some of its procedures to ensure a fair trial which meets international standards. |
The trial - when it finally starts - is likely to go on for months and open up old wounds. |
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