The government will hold the trial of war criminals early this year as it has completed necessary preparations to this end, said LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday.

“The trial of war criminals will kick off at the beginning of the new year since the countrymen entrusted Awami League with the mandate to try the criminals,” he said at a Victory Day rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city.

Awami League (AL) organised the rally as part of its month-long programme to celebrate the day.

The minister said democracy of the country would be strengthened and the politics of killing would come to an end forever if the war criminals are brought to justice.

Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, AL presidium member and deputy leader of the parliament, addressed the rally as the chief guest, which was conducted by AL leader Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin.