The apex court also directed the jail authorities to release Azharul Islam from jail immediately if no other cases were pending against him
DHAKA – The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted prominent Jamaat-e-Islami leader, ATM Azharul Islam, of charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971.
The Jamaat leader, arrested in August 2012, was awarded the death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on 30 December 2014. The ICT sentenced Azharul to death on five out of the nine charges.
The apex court also directed the jail authorities to release Azharul from jail immediately if no cases were pending against him, according to local media reports.
The charge sheet against him stated that he was responsible for killing 1,256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women in Rangpur region during the Liberation War, local media reported.
Overturning the death sentence awarded by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a full seven-judge bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed exonerated him on Tuesday.
Mohammad Shishir Monir argued on behalf of the appellant, assisted by lawyer Syed Md Rayhan Uddin. Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque and prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the state.
Last year, the interim government under Muhammad Yunus, after coming to power, lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, issuing a gazette notification.
Prominent legal advisor Asif Nazrul has said that Jamaat-e-Islami leader was acquitted as he has been proven innocent.
Nazrul shared his reaction in a Facebook post shortly after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court acquitted Azharul.
“The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, unanimously granted the review petition filed by Azharul against his previous conviction,” he wrote.
“In today’s verdict, the court overturned both the International Crimes Tribunal’s judgment that sentenced him to death and the earlier verdict by the Appellate Division that had upheld that sentence,” he added. – With inputs from IANS
