Dhaka: The Awami League-led 14-party alliance today expressed satisfaction over the verdict delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar for committing crimes against humanity.

"The reaction of the 14-party alliance was expressed at its meeting," said Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif while speaking at a press conference held at the political office of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at Dhanmondi in the city.

He said, "Leaders of the 14-party alliance expressed their satisfaction over the verdict. People of the country extended support to the war crimes trial." For the support, the Awami League (AL) leader said the 14-party alliance thanked the people and expressed gratitude to them.

The International Crimes Tribunal-II today awarded capital punishment to Abu Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar as the allegations of committing crimes against humanity brought against him were proved beyond any doubt. A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Obaidul Hassan delivered the verdict.

Hanif said the trial of the war criminals was the pre-poll commitment of the government. "We have initiated the war crimes trial after forming the government. But not only the Jamaat-Shibir, but also the opposition BNP tried to thwart the trial by launching political programmes," he added.

Replying to a question, the AL leader said those accused of war crimes would be traced out wherever they might have taken refuge, at home or abroad and they would be brought to justice.

The press conference was attended, among others, by Awami League Presidium member Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin, organising secretaries AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Advocate Misbahuddin Siraj, deputy office secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, JSD executive president Mainuddin Khan Badal MP and general secretary Sharif Nurul Ambia, Workers Party politburo member Bimal Biswas, Ganatantri Party general secretary Nurur Rahman Selim, Samyabadi Dal leader Abu Hamed Shahabuddin, Communist Kendra leaders Asit Baron Roy and Dr Wazedul Islam Khan.

The 14-party alliance will form human chains from 3 pm to 4 pm on January 24 (Thursday) in Dhaka City and other places across the country to press its demand for expediting the trial of the war criminals.

The spots in the capital city where human chains will be formed are, Gabtali to Shyamali, Asad Gate, Dhanmondi Road-27, Russell Square, Panthapath, Basundhara, Sonargaon Hotel, Shahbag, High Court, Paltan, Shaheed Nur Hossain Square, Bangabandhu Avenue, Ittefaq, Rajdhani Market, Syedabad to Jatrabari intersection.

It was informed at the press conference that Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Gopalganj and Narail districts would not come under the purview of the human-chain programme due to scheduled political programmes of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the day in Khulna.

Coordinator of the 14-party alliance, Awami League presidium member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury MP chaired the meeting.

Ends/AMA/21/01/13