In Bangladesh, the Supreme Court today acquitted Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam in a case over crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order.
Following his arrest, Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azhar faced nine charges of crimes against humanity. According to the chargesheet, he was “responsible” for killing 1,256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women during the Liberation War in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. Besides, he was said to have tortured civilians, set fire to hundreds of houses and committed other atrocities.
The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced him to death on December 30, 2014, in five out of the nine charges.On January 28, 2015, the death-row convict submitted a petition to the Appellate Division claiming his innocence. On July 19, 2020, he filed the review petition with the relevant branch of the Appellate Division.
Regarding the Appellate Division’s verdict state counsel Gazi MH Tamim said they accept the court’s decision and have no objections to it.
He stated, “Since this case came to appeal stage from a review, there is no higher court in Bangladesh or any international forum beyond this. This verdict has elevated our current judicial system to international standards. In the future, the international community will no longer be able to question the tribunal’s judgments.”