ATM Azharul Islam, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, has been acquitted following an appeal verdict.
The seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed announced the verdict today, Tuesday, May 27.
The International Crimes Tribunal had sentenced Azhar to death on December 30, 2014, for his involvement in crimes against humanity during the war. Azhar subsequently filed an appeal against this verdict on January 28, 2015.
After the hearing, the Appellate Division upheld the death penalty on October 31, 2019. However, the Jamaat leader later filed a review petition against the verdict. On February 26, the Appellate Division heard the review and decided to allow a re-hearing of the appeal. This marks the first time a war crimes case has been granted a re-hearing at the appeal stage after reaching the review phase.
