Bangladesh crimes tribunal accuses The Economist magazine of hacking judge’s computer

By Farid Hossain

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DHAKA, Bangladesh — A Bangladesh war crimes tribunal has accused the British magazine The Economist of hacking the computer of its presiding judge to record conversations and read emails he exchanged with a lawyer.

The magazine did not directly address the charges, but said it is in possession of conversations and documents that raise serious questions about the workings of the tribunal.

The tribunal is trying 10 opposition politicians on charges of arson, rape and other atrocities committed during the country’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.

Bangladesh says that during the war, Pakistani troops, aided by their local collaborators, killed 3 million people and raped about 200,000 women.

International human rights groups have called for fair and impartial proceedings and raised questions about how the tribunal is being conducted.

11:38ET 09-12-12