Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday ordered prosecution to submit formal charges on 23 November against 19 war crimes suspects of Moheshkhali upazila in Cox’s Bazar for their alleged involvement in the crimes against humanity during the War of Independence in 1971.

A three- member bench of the tribunal, led by Justice M Anwarul Haque, passed the order after hearing.

The tribunal also issued arrest warrant against another war crimes suspect of Moheshkhali upazila Ramij Hasan.

Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta pleaded for two months’ time in preparation to file charges.

The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) worked out its probe report against 19 war crimes suspects on 8 October.

According to the report, the 19 people were allegedly involved in the killing of 94 people, as well as in 13 incidents of torture, rape and arson attacks in the upazila during the liberation war.

The accused are former president of Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Salamatullah Khan, former MP of BNP Mohammad Rashed Mia, Moulvi Zakaria Shikdar, Oli Ahmed, M Jalal Uddin, Moulvi Nurul Islam, Mohammad Saiful Islam Sabul, Mamataz Ahmed, Habibur Rahman, Moulvi Amzad Ali, Abdul Mazid, Badsha Miah, Osman Goni, Abdul Shukkur, Shamsuddoha, M Zakaria, M Zinnah alias Zinnat Ali, Abdul Aziz and Jalal.

Police arrested seven of the 19 accused.

Of the arrestees, Shamsuddoha, died in custody at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).