Bangladesh protests Pak statement on Quasem’s execution

Sun Sep 4, 2016 03:11 PM
Last update on: Sun Sep 4, 2016 06:42 PM

Terms it interference in domestic affairs

Star Online Report

Sun Sep 4, 2016 03:11 PM Last update on: Sun Sep 4, 2016 06:42 PM

The government today strongly protested statement issued by Pakistan on the execution of war criminal Mir Quasem Ali, terming it "interference in Bangladesh affairs".

In a meeting with acting Pakistani High Commissioner Samina Mehtab, Additional Foreign Secretary Kamrul Ahsan of Bangladesh foreign ministry conveyed the message this afternoon in Dhaka.

“Nothing much to say,” Samina Mehtab told journalists after the meeting.

“A statement issued by Pakistan foreign ministry on Saturday over war criminal Mir Quasem Ali’s execution is a direct interference into the domestic affairs of Bangladesh,” Kamrul Ahsan told journalists after the meeting.

Pakistan on Saturday said it is deeply saddened by the execution of Mir Quasem.

In the statement, Pakistan foreign ministry said the act of suppressing the opposition, through “flawed trials”, is completely against the spirit of democracy.

Besides, appeals of war crimes convicts Mahidur Rahman, Forkan Mallik, Serajul Haque alias Siraj Master, Khan Akram Hossain, Obaidul Haque Taher, Ataur Rahman Nani, Shamsuddin Ahmed, SM Yousuf Ali, Shamsul Haque, Muhibur Rahman Boro Mia, Mujibur Rahman Angur Mia and Abdur Razzak are pending with the SC. Eight others – Shakhawat Hossain, Billal Hossain Biswas, Ibrahim Hossain, Mujibur Rahman, Kazi Ohidul Islam, Aziz Sardar, Aziz Sardar(2) and Abdul Khaleque Morol, are yet to file appeal. Afsar Hossain Chutu, who is now in jail did not file appeal and 11 fugitive convicts Syed Hasan Ali, Gazi Abdul Mannan, Nasiruddin Ahmed, Hafiz Uddin, Azharul Islam, Ashraf Hossain, Abdul Mannan, Abdul Bari, Prof Sharif Ahammed, Harun, Abdul Hashem also didn’t file appeal.

Quasem, 63, is the sixth war criminal and fifth Jamaat leader to have been hanged for war crimes.

Quasem’s trial process was transparent, he had an option to appeal and he filed an appeal, the foreign ministry official said.

“The tribunal delivered the verdict as it had been proved that he was involved in war crimes,” Kamrul Ahsan said.

He said that he told the Pakistani envoy "there is no scope for making comments in this regard".

Earlier in the day, the foreign ministry summoned Samina Mehtab to lodge the formal protest.