DHAKA, Bangladesh, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Clashes in Bangladesh turned violent after supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami protested the war crimes arrest of their leaders, an official said.
Bangladesh in 2010 established an international tribunal to investigate alleged crimes committed by Bangladeshis accused of backing Pakistani forces trying to squash an independence movement.
East Pakistan became Bangladesh after a bloody war for independence in 1971. At least 3 million people were killed when West Pakistan used military force in an effort to thwart independence.
Members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami were arrested in connection with the bloodshed.
Habibur Rahman, a spokesman for the Bangladeshi police, told the BBC that protesters turned violent without warning.
"They started throwing stones at our officers," he was quoted as saying. "Around 46 police officers were injured and many vehicles were set on fire."
The clashes are the first since the current government in Bangladesh came to power in 2009. Opponents say the Bangladeshi tribunal is politically motivated.
Shafiqur Rahman, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, told the BBC it was the police who triggered the violence.
"We never believe in this type of violence," he said. "It was a clear suppression of our right to protest."
