Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday asked the prosecution not to call 'Razakar' anyone accused in cases filed over crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War until the allegations brought against them are proved.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Anwarul Haque, came up with the observation during the hearing on a petition filed by the prosecution seeking its permission to interrogate three war crimes accused of Naogaon at the Safe Home.

The ICT allowed the prosecution to interrogate Rezaul Karim Mantu, Shahid Mandal and Ishak Ali on May 8-9.

The prosecution also sought three months' time to complete investigation against four suspected war criminals of Naogaon for their crimes against humanity.

The other accused, Nazrul Islam, has been on the run.

The ICT fixed July 12 for the submission of probe report.

Drawing tribunal's attention, Abdus Sattar Paloan, a counsel of the accused, said Shahid Mandal was a teacher and he was being called a 'Razakar' although the trial is yet to complete.

Earlier, on October 18, 2016, a case was filed against the four suspected war criminals of Naogaon. Police arrested three of them -- Mantu, Ishak and Shahid.

Of them, police arrested Mantu, former Joypurhat district unit Jamaat ameer, in a criminal case. Later, he was shown arrested in the war crimes case.