DHAKA: A fresh list is learnt have been prepared for detaining 22 more Jamaat stalwarts soon after the recent arrest of five of its top leaders, who are now facing trial in the war-crime tribunal.

Competent sources told banglanews24.com.bd that the list prepared by the special branch of police has been submitted to the authorities concerned.

According to an intelligence source, the new list includes Maulana  Sobhan, Makbul Ahmad, ATM Azharul Islam, Maulana MA Aziz, barrister Abdur Razzak, Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and top-level ‘Sura’ members.

Wishing anonymity, a high official of the police told banlanews24.com.bd, “Arrest warrants have already been issued against the leaders as they were accused of involvement in genocide, murder, arson, looting and so during the Liberation War.”

Apart from those suspected in war crimes, on the list are also the leaders who may try to halt the war-crime trial by delivering provocative speeches and campaigns, said the officer.

Sources said despite two separate raids on Dhaka central office of the party last week, police could not arrest any of the Jamaat leaders. But the law enforcers later on Wednesday picked up 25 Jamaat men from their Dhaka metropolitan office.

However, the law enforcers could not arrest any of the wanted ones during the raid or yet to confirm whether they picked up any of the listed suspects.

Meanwhile, cops conducted several drives in different places in search of Jamaat leader and former lawmaker Dr Abdullah Mohammad Taher following separate general diaries lodged against him in different parts of the country for his salvo of provocative speech at a discussion meeting in Dhaka. Courts have summoned him in connection with the cases, mostly on sedition charges.  

On condition of anonymity, a senior Jamaat leader told banglanews24.com.bd, “Police raided houses of some party high-ups who were accused of war crimes.”

Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary-General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Nayeb-e-Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayedee were arrested on June 29 on charges of hurting religious sentiments of Muslims through their perceived blasphemous comments.

Later, assistant secretaries-general Mohammad Kamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Mollah were arrested from the High Court gate on July 13 in a case of genocide and arson attacks filed with Pallabi thana by an injured freedom fighter in January 2008.

BDST: 10:47 HRS, AUG 12, 2010