Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sentenced five war criminals of Netrakona, including Sheikh Abdul Mazid alias Mazid Maulana, to death for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

A three-member bench, led by Justice Shahinur Islam, handed down the verdict, reports the UNB.

The five convicts are Abdul Khaleque Talukdar, Sheikh Abdul Mazid alias Mazid Maulana, Kabir Khan, Abdus Salam Beg, and Nuruddin alias Roddin. All of them are residents of Purbadhala upazila. They were tried in absentia.

On January 28 last, the court kept pending its verdict in the case filed against the five men of Netrakona for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.

The prosecution submitted a charge-sheet against seven accused for their alleged involvement in killing eight people after abduction, torching eight houses, looting valuables and violating a woman during the Liberation War.

Mokhlesur Rahman Badal and Sabina Yeasmin Khan Munni served as the prosecutors of the case while Advocate Gazi HM Tamim stood for the accused at the direction of the state.

Sabina said the tribunal issued arrest warrants for the seven accused on August 12, 2015. Following the tribunal order, police arrested Abdur Rahman.

Abdur Rahman died during the trial proceedings in 2016. Another accused, Ahmed Ali, died in October 2015 at the age of 78.

Abdul Quadir, a freedom fighter of Purbadhala upazila of Netrakona district and brother of one of the victims, filed the case against the accused in 2013.