Deadly riots ahead of Bangladesh war crimes verdict

DHAKA (AFP) - A man was burned to death as riots rocked Dhaka ahead of a verdict on Tuesday against a senior Islamist opposition official accused of genocide during Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Abdul Quader Molla, 64, assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, could be sentenced to death by the controversial International Crimes Tribunal following charges of rape, genocide and murder.

Jamaat announced a nationwide strike on Tuesday after the tribunal on Monday announced the verdict would be delivered the following day. Jamaat warned it would resist at any cost a "government blueprint" to execute its leaders.

The verdict is expected to be given at around 11:30 am local time.