Dhaka: The prosecution has pressed formal charges against five alleged war criminals from Gaibandha in cases for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

The prosecution submitted the chargesheets to the registrar’s office of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday afternoon, said prosecutor Taposh Kanti Paul.

The ICT fixed March 12 for hearing the next order.

The five suspected war criminals are --M Abdur Jabbar Mandal, 86, his son M Jasijar Rahman alias Khoka, 64, M Abdul Wahed Mandal, 62, M Montaj Ali Bepari alias Montaj, 68, and M Ranju Miah, 59, all residents of Gaibandha Sadar upazila.

Of them, only Ranju is in jail. The others are all absconding.

Earlier, on December 21, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) investigation agency finalized the probe report against five of them excluding one accused.

Four specific charges, include murder, rape, arson attack and forcing the people to leave the country, have been brought against them.

On October 12, 2015, the ICT investigators started the investigation against the six suspects.

Besides, the tribunal issued arrest warrant against six alleged war criminals of Batiaghata upazila in Khulna district for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

A three-member bench led by Justice Anwarul Haque passed the order following a petition filed by the prosecution.

The accused war criminals are-Ashraf Sheikh, Amzad Hossain Hawlader, Mozahar Ali Sheikh, Matiar Sheikh, Mostasim Billah, and Kamaluddin Goldar.