Bangladesh sets up war crimes tribunal

(March 27, 2010) Bangladesh set up a special war crimes tribunal on Thursday to try suspects who allegedly helped the Pakistan army in the war for independence nearly 40 years ago. Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, won independence in December 1971 following a nine-month war. The tribunal consists of three judges led by High Court Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed told reporters. The government also appointed a 12-member panel of lawyers to conduct the trials, he said. The minister said the trials would begin soon after years of political turmoil.